Interactive Toy

Abstract

An activity device that is used in sports or recreational activities that incorporates an electronic component that interacts with the user and or other users is disclosed. The activity device contains an electronic housing does not hinder the activity in any manner. The electronic housing has components that collect activity data in the form of a picture, a sound bite, activity statistics, personal information about the user or participants, or previous scoring information or rules of the activity, and processes that activity data. The activity device further sends this processed activity data to a receiving device. Viewers of the activity data can interactively communicate back to the original activity device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/342,145, filed on Apr. 10, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to activity devices that are used in various sporting or recreational activities. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an aerodynamic flying disc device, such as that known as the Frisbee®, for use in throwing games. It also relates to electronic components that exist in the activity device to aid in the enjoyment or the organization of the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recreational and sporting goods equipment or devices used in various indoor and outdoor activities, and more particularly, a throwing disc, a flying vehicle, flying toys, sporting balls, action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, or the like. It is also in the technical field of electronic components, portable media playback equipment, components for processing and communicating various activity data, and in particular to portable devices that communicates with various other devises wirelessly and has the ability for processing data, such as reproducing and playing audio music and signals, as well as organizing the data and further communicating the data with a vast interactive audience.

Activities and electronics have recently been synchronized to enhance the entertainment value of a recreational activity. For example, flying discs that were once a past time toy, are now being used in organized, competitive events, such as Ultimate Frisbee® or Disc Golf® matches. In these activities, the flying discs are thrown by a user and rotate to affect an aerodynamically optimized flight. Some of these flying discs are called Aerobies® or FRISBEES®. Other flying toys also encompass various types of balls, such as baseballs, footballs, basketballs, or sponge-like balls, such as Nerf balls, rubber, textured balls, plush, fabric or nylon pouches, foam, polyfil, or bead filled bags. Some of these activity devices can also be puck shaped, such as a hockey puck. Other activity devices may include figurines, dolls, tradable coins, or various children's stuffed animals.

Prior art flying disc toys have been enhanced with lights mounted thereon to add interest and entertainment. Typical of such flying disc lighted toys are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,246 to Johnson et al. titled “Illuminating Flying Saucer,” which issued in Jan. 15, 1974. But recent technology allows for more sophisticated electronic capabilities with flying discs and other activity devices. For example, there is a need to post various statistics about an activity, provide tracking capabilities for the activity device, share photos, share recordings, share videos, provide personal information about participants, and discuss various rules about the activities on the Internet. There exists dedicated websites to Ultimate Frisbee® or a social network sites that have high capabilities to organize events for activities or share activity data, such as Facebook® or Twitter®. With the Internet, a host of new audiences can now share in the fun, listening to the sounds of the activity, watching videos or photos of the activity, documenting content from the activity, or even participating in the activity from their home computers. These activity devices are in a sense connected to the Internet and these activity devices can enjoy the benefits of an immediate interactive experience with a vast new audience.

In U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1 by Lindsey et al. titled “Throwable Object Featuring Message Record And Impact-Activated Playback,” there is disclosed a modern activity device with electronic components to record and playback messages after being thrown or hit into the ground. Such an activity device is capable of inputting activity data, such as a recording, and has the ability to play it on an output device, such as speakers. Although incorporating these types of electronic components into activity devices are known in the art, there is a need to go further with organizing the activity data and communicating the activity data with a bigger audience. And there is a further need for the audience to communicate back to the activity device, which allows for an enhanced interactive experience.

Various other types of toys currently perform various electronic tasks. The obvious choice is a mechanized robot, or a stuffed animal or model toy with various electronic components. U.S. Pat. No. 7,139,642 titled “Robot system and robot apparatus control method,” which issued Nov. 21, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated, discloses wireless robots that are freely capable of sending wireless transmissions to communicate with each other. In stuffed animals, the electronic components are placed so as not to be conspicuous, which may allow for the stuff animal to simulate an “old fashion” as if not to have any electronic capabilities. And these electronic tasks performed by these modern toys may involve recording sound bites, playing music, taking photos, taking video, listening to commands and moving parts of the body in association with the commands.

But in this field, there is a need to better utilize the miniaturized electronic components, synchronize and incorporate the ideas of electronic tasks with the activities that are involved, and share that information with others. The task can be as simple as collecting activity data, such as a sound recording, and sending it to another user that is not nearby. Or the task can be the collection of activity data that is statistical, which can be wirelessly and immediately shared with the world. There is a need over the prior art to make the activity more interactive by involving the larger audience in the activity. There is a need to incorporate other types of electronic features into the activity device, such as gyroscopes, GPS receivers to locate the device globally, internal sensors, accelerometers, tracking software to trace the location of the activity device, various sensors to recognize a pattern of use such that it recognizes the activity that is being played, microprocessoring power to process and organize and take in activity statistics, computer components (RAM, ROM, software), and various other components depending on the nature of the activity device. By allowing the activity device process and share the activity data, there is an immediate interactive experience with a worldwide audience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines conventional activity devices, such as recreational toys, with modern electronic components that allow the activity device to collect various data about the activity, process the activity data, and then communicate it in some form to others making the activity interactive. The present invention is an activity device, such as a throwing flying disc, that contains unhindered electronic components that allows for the collection of recordings and/or other types of activity data, processing the activity data, and communicate the activity data to a receiving device, and ultimately to other viewers allowing them to be interactive. The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art activity and/or recreational devices, and in particular to make the activity device more interactive with the user using electronics and organizational websites, such as social network websites.

In order to make the activity device interactive, the present invention incorporates three features. First, the activity device must contain electronic components that do not hinder the activity in any manner. For example, in a flying disc, the electronic components must exist in a manner to not hinder the aerodynamic features of the flying disc, especially for competitive Ultimate Frisbee® or Disc Golf® games. Second, the electronic component in the activity device must collect some form of activity data and process the activity data. Third, the electronic component that collects the activity must be able to communicate that processed activity data to another user or another device, using standard methods of communication, such as standard wireless communications or through a speaker.

For purposes of this present invention, the term “process” or “processing” when used in conjunction with a processor is defined as an act of taking the analog or digital data that was inputted and organizing the data, computing statistics with the data (e.g., ave., sum), enhancing the digital recording, or arranging the activity data that will further assist in the display, organization, or entertainment of the activity data. The activity data can be photos of the activity, videos of the activity, sound recordings of the activity, the particular name of the activity game, the score of an activity, the location of an activity, the time an activity started and/or stopped, the rules of the activity, the participants of the activity, personal information about the participants of the activity, the exact location of the activity device, the point systems involved in an activity, and/or the stats of the activity. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee® game, Disc Golf® game, a basketball game, a baseball game, a hockey game, a sporting game or match, a fishing contest, chess match, a kite flying contest, a flying vehicle contest, a golf tournament, a roll-playing game, a race, a marathon, a triathlon, a bike race, an organized activity involving themed characters or figures, or any activity that involves an activity device.

For example, let's say that the activity device is a flying disc. The activity device is a typical disc that is axially symmetrical with an upper surface plate of minimum thickness adjoined to (i.e. contiguous with) a rim of carefully designed depth. In modern flying discs, the mass of the disc is removed to the rim to maximize the angular momentum given to the disc at launch and subsequently reduce the rate at which the disc rolls (and pitches) in flight. The rim and plate together define a cavity beneath the plate that, due to the high pressure difference caused by the trailing edge rim, stabilizes the pitching moment and inhibits the gyroscopic roll rate to within acceptable bounds for free-flight.

Flying discs are generally made without thought of incorporating any type of electronics. With technological advancements made in miniaturizing electronic components, such as memory components, recording components, voice modulators, music players, speakers, microprocessors, monitors, and such, the flying disc can use these advancements to create new and innovative features that exceed the current limit of imaginative toys. In this example, the flying disc incorporates electronic components without affecting the aerodynamic features of the flying disc. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circular flying disc having an electronic housing that contains an input device, which inputs activity data. The input device can be triggered by simple motion sensors or touch sensors. The flying disc contains an electronic component that contains a number of different functions, such as a recorder and a speaker that can record an audio response when the activity device is triggered, i.e., an input of an activity data, and can process the audio recording and play back the audio response at a remote receiving device when the activity device is triggered again. The activity device has the ability to send the processed activity data to a receiving device, which can be external speakers, or it can be to a receiving device that is not connected to the activity device. The need to process the activity data at the device is so to organize the data and efficiently communicate the data so that when the activity data is communicated, it can provide an immediate interactive experience. The device also contains some form of storage memory to be able to record a number of different responses. The device also contains a camera to take pictures or video and alternatively a small screen to play back the pictures or video. The device also contains some form of remote or wireless transmission capability so that the recordings can be transferred to a separate receiving device that can play the recording or process the recording. The device may contain different external sensors, such as a motion sensor, barometer, thermometer, infra-red receiver, or RF receiver as discussed above and below, which may all be triggered by the appropriate and respective sensor stimulation.

The flying disc may also have other types of activity data processing components, for instance the names of all the participants in the Ultimate Frisbee® game, the stats of each of the participants, the score of the current game, the location of the game, the rankings of the teams or players, the time the game was initiated, and the like.

Alternatively, the activity device does not have to be a flying disc nor does the activity have to be an Ultimate Frisbee® game. The activity device is a device that is launched, caught, thrown, propelled, or moved as part of a sport, recreation, or play that is comprised of a flying toy, or flying vehicle, a launched toy, football, baseball, basketball, flying ring, soccer ball, sponge balls, sports ball, sponge darts, darts, flying toy airplanes, flying toy helicopters, dolls, action figures, figurines, teddy bears, chess pieces, golf clubs or golf apparel, tennis racquets or tennis apparel, tradable coins, and collectibles. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee® game, or Disc Golf® game, or a basketball game, or a baseball game, or a hockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flying contest, or a flying vehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game of roll-playing game, or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bike race, or an organized activity involving themed characters or figures. The activity is not limited to these activities alone.

The activity device can communicate the activity data using wireless communication to various other types of receiving devices, such as other activity devices, computer, wireless routers, smart phone, laptop, table PC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate fax machines, tablets, or netbooks. In these cases, each separate receiving device can process the activity data. The process of the activity can include the posting of the activity data, whether it is a recording, video, stats of the participants, personal information regarding the participants, the time and location of the activity, and other information discussed above and below. The posting of the information and activity data includes posting the information in social network sites, public database, and dedicated WebPages. It is not limited to those types of publishing. And in these and other cases, there may exist for other users or viewers of the activity data to communicate other information, like a comment or an exact ruling on a rule and a controversial play with the rule, about the activity in progress back to the original user. The information that is sent back to the activity device may be processed to explain a rule or a general public opinion or rating system or updated similar scores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of a prior art activity device, wherein in this example the activity device is a flying disc and the activity data is a recording and the receiving device are the speakers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the prior art activity device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of an example of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of an external receiving device that interacts with the activity device;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional topical view of an example of an activity device, wherein in this example the activity device is a flying disc, having the interactive electronic components, a first and second electronic components;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the activity device in FIG. 5, which shows the electronic components that collects activity data, processes activity data, and can alternatively wirelessly communicate activity data;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the electronic housing in an activity device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view of an alternative type of activity device having the interactive electronic component;

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device having the interactive electronic component;

FIG. 10 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device having the interactive electronic component;

FIG. 11 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device having the interactive electronic component;

FIG. 12 is an embodiment with a paddle having a receiving device and the ball having the electronic components to input activity data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that reads and communicates activity data with a separate device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that reads and communicates activity data by wireless communication with a separate device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that reads and communicates activity data with another activity device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that reads and communicates activity data wirelessly with the network.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that communicates activity data with the network and allows the viewers to respond.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device that reads and communicates activity data with multiple other users.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing that the activity device can join or create activity applications.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of multiple users.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activity application.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activity application.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activity application.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram for one of the embodiments in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 discloses a type of flying disc that exists in the prior art. For example, Lindsey et al. discussed above and below disclose a flying disc of this nature. There is shown an activity device 1 having a perimeter 2. The activity device 1 has speaker 3 and a touch area 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the prior art activity device 1 contains an upper body 6 and an underbelly 7. There is an inner module 5 that located at the center of activity device 1, which is located at the underbelly. The inner module 5 has a recording button 3, which activates a recording function. A user can press the recording button 8 and record a message. There is storage means for the recording, and there is the ability to replay the recording on speaker 3 when activated to do so. There is no means by which to send that activity data to anyone other than the immediate recipient of the activity device.

An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 3, which discloses activity device 21. The activity device is a flying disc and contains electronic components that are of proper shape and weight such as to not interfere with the flight of the activity device 21, or flying disc. The activity device 21 has a cylindrical or radially aerodynamic casing that contains an electronic component housing 9. In a preferred embodiment, electronic component housing 9 contains a circuit board and components that allow for the ability to input activity data. The activity data can be a wide array of digital or analog information, such as videos, sound recordings, statistics on an activity, scoring or point system, personal information about the participants, as others as discussed above and below. The input means can be a standard recording receiver well known in the art that can record sounds, videos, and the such, with the activation of a trigger by the user. The electronic housing 9 has the ability (including components for microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and software) to store and playback the recording. And in this case, there is receiving devices, which are external speakers 23 that can accept activity data and playback the activity data. The external speakers are not attached to the activity device and are considered receiving device 16. Receiving device 16 can also communicate with various other outsources, such as the Internet. There is also the capability for a touch sensitive area that can trigger the application. The touch sensitive area is a standard electromechanical switch and/or touch sensitive pads that are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail herein. The touch trigger can also be mechanical-triggered, pressure-triggered, moisture-triggered, capacitive-triggered, electromagnetically-triggered, or induction-triggered that is standard in the art. In these instances, there is an electronic input that communicates the activation of the trigger to the electronic component housing 9.

Although in FIG. 3, the activity device is in the shape of a flying disc, the activity device 21 can take many different shapes, including a linear disc, linear ring, boomerang or another oddly shaped flying shape, circular ball shape, hockey puck, oblong ball shape, such as a football, and can be made in various sizes, for example, the size of a baseball or larger than a basketball. This list is not a total list and may include activities that are not specifically listed. It can also includes paddle and ball type activities wherein the actual collection of activity data and processing of the data can occur between the ball and paddles before it is sent to the receiving device.

The encasing for the activity device 21 can be made of various hard or flexible plastics, fiber, fiberglass, fabric, wood, metals, polymers. The material can be made of stiff materials, such as metals, or more resilient materials, such as polypropylene. Each embodiment can also be made by a molding process with polymers, with similar but different molds being used in producing each embodiment or it can be made of inflatable ball material using vinyl, or something similar. The foam embodiment toy is made in a mold in which the chemically activated foam is injected with the foam growing after it is poured into the mold.

The activity device 21 collects activity data, wherein the activity data is comprised of photos of the activity, videos of the activity, sound recordings of the activity, the type of activity, the score of an activity, the location of an activity, the time an activity started and/or stopped, the rules of the activity, the participants of the activity, personal information about the participants of the activity, the point systems involved in an activity, tracking location of the activity device, personal information about the date of an exchange or trade, the rotational turns and speed of the activity device, and/or the stats of an activity. The activity data is then processed at the activity device 21. The activity data is processed at the activity device in order to expedite the communication to others. Because the activity requires immediate feedback from the audience, the processing of the activity data at the activity device reduces the inefficiency if it was done at the receiving device. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee® game, or Disc Golf® game, or a basketball game, or a baseball game, or a hockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flying contest, or a flying vehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game of roll-playing game, or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bike race, or an organized activity or hobby involving themed characters or figures or an exchange of collectibles, such as coins. In the particular case, there exists a trigger activation 4 on the activity device 21, such as a touch sensitive activation of an application, or as discussed in the examples above. The electronic component housing 9 contains the necessary electronic components to collect the activity data and/or process the activity data. Those components are discussed in detail below. The type of electronic components may be speakers, recording devices, microprocessor, memory, accelerometer, motion sensor, standard GPS receiver, antenna, and components can be used for proper location activity data. Standard atomic clocks can be used to determine accurate time. These electronic components are not limited to these components. Standard electronic components to collect and process activity data, such as calculators, or small computers are considered within the types of components in the activity device 21.

Recent developments in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology have opened new avenues for the use of high precision lightweight accelerometers and gyroscopes for new and challenging sports applications. MEMS integrate both electrical and mechanical components on a single chip through extensive research into integrated circuit processing technologies. As MEMS accelerometers originated from monitoring vehicle safety and electronic stabilization, they only provided very low accuracy measurements. However, as micromechanical devices are inherently smaller, lighter, and usually more precise than their macroscopic counterparts, more and more reliable sensors are becoming available. Accelerometers measure linear acceleration and gyroscopes measure angular acceleration (pitch, yaw and roll).

Depending on the activity, flying discs have a critically optimum shape and characteristics. Beginner flying discs may have a weight about 80 grams. They maintain a certain size to weight ratio for the purpose of allowing young users and beginners to throw accurately. For competitive flying disc activities, the accuracy and the distance requires different characteristics. For example, in the game of Ultimate Frisbee®, the weight of the flying disc is 175 grams and the size is scaled up to balance the area to weight ratio. The module housing and electronic components of the flying disc has a weight of 35 grams, the weight of the flying disc has to be reduced by 35 grams to maintain the ideal weight of 175 grams. For a game of Disc Golf®, the desired weight of the flying disc is that is required to throw a long distance with the ability to also throw accurately for shorter distance requires a weight of approximately 150 to 180 grams and a proportional change in the size/weight ratio. The electronic components must also fit within the dimensions of the disc so as not to interfere with its aerodynamic features, which is critical in accurately tossed discs. The electronic housing must have a radial symmetrical shape and be centrally aligned at the middle of the disc so as not to interfere with the flight and balance of the disc. Such electronic components can be cylindrical, round, star shaped, or the like. In cases where the electronic components are square, such components must have proper weight balance with the device such as not to disrupt the balance, consistency, and accuracy of its rotational base. The weight of the materials taken of the original shape flying disc to add the electronic components are carefully weighed and compared so that the discrepancy is no more than 10%. For example, if 10 grams of plastic materials from the radial center that was removed from a flying disc, the electronic components were not only designed to not affect the aerodynamics, but he weight of the electronic components were with 9 to 11 grams, which is a 10% error margin.

It is critical for electronic component housing 9 not to hinder the activity device during the activity. In the embodiments disclosed throughout this application, electronic components are designed not to be conspicuous nor affect the flight or movement or weight of the activity device in a way to affect the enjoyment of the activity. In many instances, such as in the model flying planes, placement of weight is often a key element in its ability to move properly through the air. In these instances, the electronic components have been placed in locations to assist in the proper distribution of weight to aid the movement of the activity device.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the activity device 21 has an electronic component housing 9, which includes a circuit board and all the necessary electronic components and connections, a recording component 10, a speaker component 11, a memory storage component 12, a wireless communication component 13, and alternatively, a camera component 14. The device can also contain a microprocessor 15 that can organize and perform functions with the stored information, such as pictures and recordings. The device also contains an energy source 77 that can be a various form of energy, such as a standard battery, solar powered component, or chemically powered component. As discussed above, other components may exist, which may include, but is not limited to, GPS receiver, accelerometer, motion sensor, thermometer, altimeter, gyroscope, angular acceleration in 3D sensors, and various types of sensors, frequency sensors, etc. . . . Various miniature recording components and speaker components are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail. Various storage components are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail. They include detachable memory cards, such as SD cards, as well as flash memory components. Standard microprocessors, ROM, RAM, and basic application software for inputting data, storing data, and processing data, as well as all other miniaturized computer components are well known in the art. The operations of each of these components are dependent on the arrangement and electrical connections of the circuit board. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,009, issued Jul. 18, 1989, to Nicholas A. Rodgers, discloses a LED system and is incorporated herein by reference to show how some hardware components are attached.

As shown, in FIG. 8, the activity device can be in the shape of an oblong football 24. In this activity device, the electronic component 25 may comprise an electronic housing with the circuitry laid out so as to not dispel more than 10% of the weight of the laces and so that the housing will feel and act like laces. The housing does not change the rotational capabilities or throwing accuracy of the ball. The laces are made of polyvinyl chloride or leather and the electronic housing 9 is within the 10% weight requirement and the size of the laces. There may also be disclosed a small display carefully located and weighted so as not to affect the flight of the football. Other areas on the football can be used. The present invention incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,661 to Lemmon titled “Training football” that was issued Nov. 16, 1993. As shown by the prior art Lemmon, components can be strategically place inside the football. The present invention also incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,728 to Eddins that was issued on Feb. 24, 2004 titled “Throwing toy with distance counter.” In Eddins, there is disclosed the ability to measure the distance and the rotations of the football. The present invention also incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,557 to Bigelow et al. that was issued Aug. 13, 1985. In the prior art Bigelow et al., there is disclosed a system that uses a conventional football that contains a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer sends by radio waves the impact to a receiving device. Unlike the prior art, the football in the current application actually has an electronic housing and components that inputs activity data from the activity. Unlike Lemmon, the weight of the electronic components and the location of the components would not affect the flight of the football. Unlike Eddins, the distance and the rotations of the football are considered activity data that is communicated with the receiving device. Unlike Bigelow et al, the activity device processes the activity data located in the activity device and then communicates it with the receiving device wherein a vast number of viewers can provide feedback to the original activity device, such as displaying the audience feedback on the small display. The activity data is organized and processed at the activity device such that when the activity data is wirelessly communicated to others, the immediacy of the processed data can provide an interactive experience, wherein the users can communicate directly with the activity device.

In FIG. 9, there is a disclosed an embodiment where in the activity device is a toy duck 27. In this toy duck, the electronic component 26 is placed in the bill of the duck so as not to be conspicuous. In FIG. 10, there is disclosed an embodiment wherein the activity device is a toy plane 28. In this embodiment, the electronic component 29 is placed strategically in the nose of the plane so as to enhance the flight capabilities and provide equal weight to both the left and right side of the plane. In FIG. 11, the activity device is a stuffed animal 30 has an electronic component in the nose of the bear so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of the toy. In FIG. 12, the electronic component may exist in two items. The main electronic component 43 may exist in the paddle and a sub-electronic component 44 may exist in ball 42. There may be standard means by which the ball and the paddle may establish a means of communication and exchange activity data, which is discussed extensively below. Whether the activity device is a sporting ball, or figurine, or a playing piece, the criticality of the device having this electronic component housing so as to not interfere with the activity is an essential part of the invention.

The present invention incorporates herein the disclosure of U.S. Pub. No. US 2008/0284650 A1 to MacIntosh et al. titled “Sports sensor” with the publication date of Nov. 20, 2008. MacIntosh et al. discloses an electronic sensor for use in sporting events that collects activity data, such as information from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS and communicates them by transmission. Unike MacIntosh, the electronic housing 9 in the present invention is located within the activity device so as not to interfere with the activity. Second, the activity data is processed by the activity device and then transmitted to a receiving device. Third, there is the ability for a larger audience to view and share the activity data, and there is also the ability for the audience to communicate back to the activity device. This includes statistics about the activity device itself. As taught in MacIntosh et al, there are known ways in the industry to calculate the movements and rotations of the activity device by the sensors. Feedback from the audience can include comments about a particular throw or advice on how to perform it better.

The electronic component housing 9 can be located in a central position on the disc such that the module can occupy a small hole in the center of the disc as shown in FIG. 3, or near the center of the disc or the electronic components can be mounted to the underbelly of the disc so that the aerodynamic integrity of the disc is maintained. The electronic component housing 9 should be arranged in the most efficient way to centralize the balance and minimize any air turbulence during an activity throw.

The activity device 21 may include other types of components or electronic components that can collect data that is related to an activity. A flying disc may have the components to detect when it is being rotated and automatically sense a game is being played. By generating a pattern for when the device is being used and the frequency of the tosses, similarly disclosed by MacIntosh et al., the activity device can calculate whether a game has started. If the frequency of the rotations or timing of them match a pattern that may suggest a game is being played, as opposed to casual throws. This is all done by software application that communicates with the electronic housing 9 or is part of the central processing system with memory, ROM, RAM, and processor that is housed in electronic housing 9. As disclosed in MacIntosh et al., the device may contain a standard gyroscope and sensors, standard GPS receivers for location of the device, standard accelerometers to calculate the acceleration of the activity device, and the other components that may measure time, altitude, velocity, or rotational axis or speed of the activity device. The proper software may recognize certain patterns in the way a certain activity device is being carried, thrown, or played. For example, the electronic housing 9 have components in a flying disc to contain an application that allows for the determination with the frequency at which the flying disc is being thrown that a Disc Golf® game has initiated. The accelerometer, inertial sensors for measuring angular acceleration, velocity readers, and the gyroscope can also calculate location of the activity device and the stats, such as the distance the last activity device flew, with the proper application. The frequency at which the device is thrown and at what speed can be calculated and if such patterns exist that distinguishes a resting mode of the activity device versus an active mode, the application may initiate a statistical activity data processor wherein it would store and process the speed, the type of turns made by the activity device, recognition of other users via wireless communication with another receiving device or other activity device(s). This recognition can come in the form of recognizing other activity balls in the area via wireless communication. The activity device may be a golf club that may be activated with the activation of other users or players that are nearby. The recognition of the activity and the proper initiation of the application to process the activity data, whether it's statistical information or pictures or sound bites, is part of this invention.

FIG. 24 shows a circuitry for one embodiment of the present invention. Other types of circuitry are envisioned for each of the embodiments disclosed. The circuitry is standard in the art. At the center of the block diagram is microcontroller 60. The microcontroller is preferably an 8 bit Atmel AT mega 128 micro controller. The microcontroller can be programmed and can store data and is provided with a 256 megabyte flash memory 61. The USB port is preferably a Silicon Technologies USB to UART data transfer CP 2101 and allows data to be down loaded to a personal computer for further analysis and storage and also allow the battery to be charged by way of the battery charger 62, such as a 600 mAhr Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, which in turn is connected to the power supply 63. The microcontroller displays outputs on the LCD display 64. The circuitry also includes a 4.8 GHz transmitter and receiver 65 so that data can be transmitted and received. The transmitter and receiver 65 see is preferably a GFSK transceiver nRF2401 sold by Nordic Semiconductor. The electronic housing 9 contains a circuitry includes an activity data collection station 67, which may GPS 66 unit is an iTRAX 03 by Fastrax with 12 channels and an update rate below 5 Hz with a 1 Hz default rate. The Activity data collection station 67 is preferably software that is located in ROM, memory, or RAM that allows for the input of various activity data. Accelerometer 68 is preferably a 3 axis Kionix accelerometers (KXM52-1050) aligned orthogonally to measure rotation in 3 directions. 3D compass 69 are preferably from Hitachi (HM55B). The sound and video recorder 70 are standard recording/playback components well known in the art.

Various methods are well known in the art to synchronize and exchange wireless data. The present invention hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,783,258 to Bevin et al, and 6,757,547 to Hagen et al., which discloses ways in which data can synchronize and exchange between two devices. The activity data is preferably compressed. Compression standards are well known in the art, such as MPEG, and may be suitable for use in the present invention. Digitizing and compression/decompression circuitry is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,450, 5,045,940 and published Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications WO93/12481 and WO93/12613, which are hereby incorporated.

Various circuit boards are well known in the art for combining these components together. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1 by Lindsey et al. titled “Throwable Object Featuring Message Record And Impact-Activated Playback,” filed on Aug. 17, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses in FIG. 4 a circuitry board that would be used for an embodiment that involved the recording and playback feature in a flying disc. U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,289 to Hoffberg titled “Mobile Communication Device” is incorporated herein by reference. Hoffberg discloses miniaturized GPS components and its capabilities to incorporate them into mobile devices or small devices.

Various wireless communication components are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail. They include radio signal transmitters, or Bluetooth technology capabilities, infrared wave signal transmitters, or any other type of wave communication, whether analog or digital that can communicate with other receiving devices and components. These types of wireless communications may include, for example Near Field Communication (“NFC”) and initiating and uploading of host or “hotspoting,” or wherein a user relies on a communication device, e.g., a cell phone or other mobile device capable of communication. Triangulation of the appropriate output device can be by combining global GPS technology, wireless technology, NFC, ambient radio frequency noise, or other technologies that mathematically determine the physical location via the algorithm in the network application. The wireless communication is well known in the art. For example, the toy can have access via a personal hot spot wireless communication. Wireless gateways may serve as a “hotspot” (or wireless access point) for one or more other wireless users. The gateway may provide a backhaul connection to the Internet (e.g., world wide web, e-mail, ftp, etc.) for various wireless components through a service provider network. The hotspot may be able to route different media formats such as data, voice and/or video and would be able to support unicast, broadcast and/or multicast traffic. The wireless gateway may provide different networks for the users. For example, a first user may be engaged in a sporting activity and connect to a first network provided by the wireless gateway. Meanwhile, other users also engaged in the sporting activity may connect a second network, communicate various data with the first user and then communicate with other users provided by the wireless gateway. For example, flying disc may have a wireless 802.11a/b/g/n capability to discuss the score and various activity of an Ultimate Frisbee® game. Other players, either on the wireless toy itself or by their cell phones, tablets, personal computers, hand-held or laptop devices, smart phones, netbook computers, media player devices, or the like, can communicate that data with an Internet website, or a database or database server, like MySQL. Various camera and microprocessor components are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail.

If the activity data is communicated with a database, a database management system (DBMS) provides storage, access, security, backup and other facilities for the activity data. Examples of some commonly used DBMS are MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, FileMaker, Oracle, Sybase, dBASE, Clipper, FoxPro etc. Almost every database software comes with an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver that allows the database to integrate with other databases, so the integration between the database for the activity is considered to be within the known art.

The wireless capabilities may also include an adjustable range. The device can have a variable wireless transmitter range that can be increased or decreased by the user. Such capabilities for software to vary the range are well understood and known in the computer programming art. In such manner, there may exist an opportunity for less interference from other activities.

Further, the electronic housing 9 may be detachable and able to communicate with other devices. The electronic housing 9 may communicate with other devices, such as computers via various electronic connection capabilities, such as USB connection, or USB 2 connection, or Firewire connection, or any other type of connection that allows for the transfer of information from the storage component 8 to the other device. The activity data that is communicated with the other devices can be saved or processed further, for example posted on a social network website or sent to database server.

FIG. 4 describes an external electronic receiving device 16. The external electronic receiving device 16 contains the ability to receive information from the activity device 21. The external receiving device 16 may contain its own circuitry that is the same as circuitry in the activity device having its own microprocessor 19, RAM, ROM, software to run the application, and memory 20 and wireless capabilities 21. In addition, it may contain speaker 17 or its own trigger device to replay various music or recordings that is triggered by the activity device 21. For example, the external electronic receiving device 16 has the capability to play a recording when automatically triggered by the touch sensitive areas 3 and 4 of the flying device. In another example, external electronic receiving device 16 has the ability to wireless communicate data with activity device 21 using standard wireless communication capabilities, including, but not limited to, infrared, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, hotspot creation, NFC, or any other type of wireless technology as discussed above. The external electronic receiving device 16 can be a computer that is connected to the Internet. The receiving device 16 may be connected to the network by a network interface 22. The network interface 22 can be connected to any one of many different types of network settings, including, one or multiple networks of any type (i.e., wired and/or wireless). For example, network may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a satellite network, an intranet, the Internet, a data network, and/or a private network, public database, like MySQL, and private databases.

Further, once the connection with the internet is made, the communication of the electronic receiving device 16 with various social network sites or dedicated WebPages would be one of many ways wherein a user can communicate the activity data. For example, a social network provider such as, for example, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, etc., which may be owned, operated, and/or managed by social network providers that may correspond information from activities and publish or communicate or process the activity data that is collected at the site of the activity. The activity data can also be sent to a database or database server, like MySQL. Many database systems, public and non-public, are well known in the art.

In FIG. 6, there is a disclosed a standard electronic housing 9. Electronic housing 9 discloses a cylindrical body 40. The components are such that is to equally weigh each side of the cylinder is a way that as not to produce more than 10% difference of weight from any one quadrant of the cylinder to another quadrant, which will not affect the flying motion of the activity device 1, which in this particular case is a flying disc. The housing 9 contains a top 32 and a base 40, which is molded to properly displace weight to all equal sides. The housing 9 also contains a circuit board 34. The electronic circuitry controls the operation of collecting activity data and sending the activity data. The circuit board carries the necessary component required to perform the functions as discussed below, and in addition to transistors, capacitors, resistors, battery, and various input and output components that would likely exist in a computer. In this case, the circuit board 35 contain a microprocessor 35, storage means 41, ROM 42, RAM 36, wireless communication component 37, battery 8, gyroscope 33 and a speaker 39. A standard computer component setup can be used to have input and outputs of various activity data. For example, the standard gyroscope 33 and the software application that is located in the ROM 42, RAM 36, and processed by the microprocessor 35 can all communicate to determine the number of times that the disc had been thrown. The microprocessor 5 can then communicate that data with another receiving device with the wireless communication component 37.

In one embodiment, a friendly or competitive game is initiated whereby an activity device 1, such as a flying disc, containing an electronic component, such as a recording device. The recording device is used to record messages or send messages to other participants. The first user can record a message or record a statement stating a score or statistic into the flying disc by activating a recording feature. The input of the electronic component of the activity data is the recording device, and the activity data in this particular case is a sound recording of the activity. The recording feature stores the recording. When another user receives the flying disc, by use of the interactive touch capabilities, such as a trigger area that is activated when the recipient catches the flying device, it may initiate the transfer of the recording to external speakers 77 to play the recording. External speakers 77 have means to receive the wireless communication, which is well known in the art (See Bigelow et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,557). This feature can also exist in any type of interactive toy listed above, such as football, airplane, baseball, hockey puck, stuffed animal, themed animal, racquet sports, etc.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature may be video recording and playing capabilities and quick statistical computing capabilities. This may interact with other flying devices, such that two or three or more flying devices that all include the interactive feature. For example, in a flying disc, one flying disc may have a radio transmitter that communicates with the other flying disc or discs such that other users can listen to the transmission (analog or digital) or share and process the activity data. Or in another example, the activity data can be a video recording from one activity device 21, which can be shared with the video with other interactive devices. Or in another example, statistical information about the game can be computed, processed, and sent and shared in an organized manner to all the participants, i.e., baseball stats, score of game, time left in game, or location of game, or defensive or offensive organization of the setup, point system in a pretend game, or all stats associated with the movement of the activity device in a particular fashion. In these cases, applicable software is used to process the activity data.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature of the interactive device interacts with an external electronic component such that the user can make a recording into the interactive device and upon the interactive unit being active upon a receiver, the device communicates with the external electronic component that can play the recording on its external speakers. The electronic component can store the recording as well, which can be used later.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature with an electronic component may include a motion sensor that triggers through the acceleration, or centripetal movement of the flying disc. By having basic spring triggered mechanism, the centripetal force can interact two wires and make an electrical connection that allows for the activation of the feature. This trigger can activate an audio response, visual response, or trigger a wireless command to another device or third party device.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature with an external electronic component may include a camera feature or video feature or some form of electronic game feature. One user can interact with the device to take a picture or video or initiate an electronic game, such as a classic electronic Simon-Says® game, and upon receiving the device by a recipient, the recipient can play the picture, video, or interact with the Simon Says® game, or an electronic turn based game, or something similar that can communicate with an external interactive audience. For example, one user can initiate an activity on a Frisbee®, which can input activity data, such as the velocity of each throw. This information can be processed by the microprocessor and tagged to be the velocity of each throw. The processed activity data can then be sent to a receiving device. The velocity of the Frisbee® can be posted on the Internet, and the audience from the Internet can then communicate comments back to the original activity device.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature of the device can physically alter the device. For example, a flying disc is influenced by gravity and air. When a user hurls a flying disc, air, lift and angular momentum act on the flying disc giving it a ballet-type performance. Lift is generated by the flying disc's shaped surfaces as it passes through the air. This is influenced particularly by the shape of the flying disc. If the flying disk is altered in any way, the lift and angular momentum can change the flight of the disc, changing the course of its path or rendering it so it can no longer fly. A user can interact with the flying disc, inputting into a keypad or similar input device, a particular flight trajectory or pattern of flight for the flying disc. Upon throwing the disc, the disc must perform in the manner that the user inputs, otherwise, it can open up flaps, using a battery powered motor, to alter the flight of the disc. For example, a flying disc may have a gyroscope, such that the user can enter for right-side up forehand, or right-side up backhand, or upside down forehand, or upside down backhand, inside-out, or outside-in, or thumb throws, or spins. The user then passes the flying disc to another user. The other user upon receiving the flying disc interacts with the device and must now perform the function that was inputted by the first user. The second user may know of the input via recording or some form of display that shows the second user what function he/she needs to perform. If the second user fails to perform the function, the gyroscope that interacts with the microprocessor detects an error, which then opens up flaps on the flying disc, which makes the flying disc fall to the ground losing the aerodynamic nature of the device. In these cases, the flight altering capabilities that are well known in the art act as the receiving device while the input of the activity data is whether the device is being thrown properly. If the flying disc collects activity data regarding the speed and velocity of the throw to a receiving device, such as a computer connected to the Internet, viewers on a website dedicated to the game or social network site can then communicate a response back to the activity device. The communication may be an instruction to alter the flight of the activity device. Because of the immediacy of the communication wireless means, viewers on the Internet can affect the flight of the activity device so as to direct it to certain people or make the activity device inoperable.

Alternatively, this interactive feature that physically alters the device may exist in baseballs, flying airplanes, footballs, soccer balls, or any other type of recreational toy or ball, which will alter the toy or ball in a way to change the projected path of the toy or ball if the desired interaction is not performed. The recreational toy is not limited to flying objects, and it may include moving recreational objects such as bowling balls, bocce balls, curling balls, hockey pucks, golf balls, and the like. The interactive feature is not limited to inputting user requests, and may include an interactive turn-based game, like electronic Simon Says®, such that if the interactive user improperly plays a turn, the device will physically change making the device change in its normal movement paths.

Communication systems are known to support wireless and landline wire communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), radio frequency identification (RFID), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and/or variations thereof.

Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flying disc toy, generally noted as activity device 21 as described in FIG. 3. The diameter of the activity device is approximately 10 inches. The body forms a cylindrical shaped formed and having an outer diameter “d” sufficiently small to allow for grasping and carrying in a person's hand or dog's mouth. In the commercial embodiment, small, medium and large diameters of 1.25 inches, 1.63 inches, and 2 inches, respectively, are provided. However, such dimensions are merely exemplary and are in no way intended to be limiting. Similarly, the diameter of the commercial embodiment have varying lengths of small, medium and large being of 6 inches, 9 inches, and 10.5 inches, respectively.

The activity device 21 has a touch activated trigger 3 that is made of plastic, or capacitance based, inductive based, conductive-based, or motion-based trigger. The touch activated trigger 3 is connected to a microprocessor 15 that is attached, or mounted to the activity device 21 located at the underbelly or bottom at the center of the activity device 1. The microprocessor 15 is comprised of an integrated circuit capable of storing, and executing commands and data. As shown in FIGS. 5 & 6, the microprocessor 15 and a wireless communicator 13 interacts with a receiving device 16 that receives and processes the data. In this current example, the activity device also has means for taking photographs, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, standard GPS receiver, and other sensors that input activity data for a software application so that the software application can calculate the location of the device, calculate the activity based on the movements of the device and stats of the activity, store these activity data, including the images from the photo capabilities, and send them wirelessly by radio, infra red, Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, or broadband frequency that the receiving device 16 other devices within range can process. Depending on the sophistication of the software, by the movement and rotation of the activity device and the frequency that it accelerates, the application can process a number of scenarios for the collected activity data. For example, the application software can calculate the score or the location of each activity device and see whether it was in bounds, or it can calculate who is currently holding the activity device. Once communication between the flying devices 21 is established with a receiving device, the microprocessor in conjunction with other components has the ability to initiate this application. In this particular example, the application is software that can input the activity data, such as sounds recorded by the user or pictures of an activity or personal information about the players in an activity, and then process, organize, store information about the users, and compile or compare the data of other users as well that may be connected to the application.

Through the software based application, this information can be communicated to a receiving device 16. The receiving device 16 has the ability to receive activity data regarding the number of users, the type of users, the type of game, the location of the game, starting and ending time of the game, information about the game location, information about the users or the game, locations of other games and other users, advertisements, local promotions, civic or municipal information, geo-tag “bookmarks”, pictures, movies, or audio content that is currently being played to a social networking, wherein other interested parties can view the device and it current use. The activity data can be processed at receiving device 16. If the activity data are just recordings made during the activity, the receiving device is a speaker or some form of output device. Instead of a speaker or output device, the activity data (whether photos, recordings, stats, points, location, etc.) can be sent elsewhere. For example, if the receiving device 16 is another computer that receives wireless activity data from the activity device, it can send it to the Internet or public/private databases. The Internet can be friends, via email or text, or it can publish on public social network sites or dedicated private webpages.

In operation, the present invention preferably utilizes the convention of a flying toy, or flying disc, or Frisbee® with modern electronic component technology to obtain activity data about the activity, process the activity data, and communicate that activity data with other users by sending it to a receiving device, wherein the receiving device is either hardware output components, like speakers, or a Internet connected computer that wireless receives activity data from the activity device. The activity device can gather activity data from any number of sensors, recorders, or cameras, or other input devices. It can also act as a simple wireless trigger for a secondary device or devices, requiring only a password exchange (or Bluetooth ‘handshake’) to initiate a pre-programmed play pattern within the receiving device. In this particular embodiment, one user uses the activity device to make a recording regarding the statistics of a particular organized activity. The electronic components in the activity device record the message and alternatively record other activity data.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the prior art wherein activity data may be sent to an external device, such as a speaker. These flowcharts in FIGS. 14 to 23 demonstrate some of the different embodiments of this invention that discloses electronic components that collect activity data and communicate it with others.

In FIG. 13, a prior art activity device flowchart is disclosed. At the start 100, there is an activity. The activity can be a flying disc game. In this prior art system, the host activates a system 101. The system can be a number of different software applications, such as an application to record sound bites and play them, or share pictures. The prior art activity device as disclosed by U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1 to Lindsey et al. titled “Throwable Object Featuring Message Record And Impact-Activated Playback,” does exactly that and records messages, sound bites, graphics, images, and videos and such. This is sent to an output device 102, like speakers. In contrast, the activity data that is inputted in the present invention is processed at the activity device and is sent to a receiving device to allow an interactive audience to participate.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, at the start 210, there is an activity. The activity can be any of the activities listed above. In this series of steps, the host activates an application 211, and then application reads the data, such as the data listed above, but not limited to those activities only. The application then processes the data, such as organizing the data into lists. In this embodiment, the activity data is sent wirelessly, as discussed by the many different types of wireless communication above, and a receiving device accepts that activity data 212. Further in the embodiment, the activity data is further processed. The processing of the data comes in many forms. The receiving device can store data, manipulate data, share data, display the data, print the data, or any type of processing of the data. For example, in this embodiment, a bicycle race is envisioned. One host racer activates a race application that located in an electronic housing that is attached to his bicycle. This electronic housing has components that measure the speed of the bicycle. For example, the present invention hereby incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,419, to inventor Jamine and titled “Digital bicycle speedometer-odometer,” which discloses one of many standard ways that the speed of a bicycle can be measured, and such components exist to input activity data, such as the speed of the bicycle, to the application. The application may have many other features, such as time and location of where he/she is on the race using standard components for GPS receivers and atomic clocks that communicate as inputs for the application. In this present invention and improvement from the prior art, the activity data is organized by the microprocessor and memory capabilities of the activity device electronic housing 9 and then communicated via wireless communication, perhaps a Bluetooth® connection, to a receiving device, such as a computer or mobile phone. The computer or mobile phone receiving device then processes this data, for example, sending it to a public or private database, or social network site. Tracking information on individual racers or speed that the racer is running at or personal information regarding the racer or a processed list of the rankings can all be viewed from the receiving device that is able to communicate it with the Internet or other device.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, there is disclosed another embodiment. In this embodiment, the host, whether a participant or spectator, initiates an application from a mobile device 311. The mobile device can be a computer or mobile phone or many of the discussed iteration of computer-like devices discussed above. The mobile device then interacts with a second device or toy 312 that is located on the activity device. The second device contains the electronic housing with one or more electronic components that can communicate with the mobile device. This interaction can be done in many ways as discussed above but not limited to, wireless communication methods via Bluetooth, infrared, NFC, hotspot creation, and the like. The activity device then reads an activity data 313. The activity data is then submitted to a separate receiving device 314, which can store the activity data, manipulate the activity data, share the activity data, display the activity data, print or show the activity data, or any other type of processing of the activity data 315. For example, in this embodiment, let's suppose there is a Disc Golf® game that has been initiated. These electronic components are located precisely at the center and equally spaced from the center of the flying disc such as not to interfere with the flight of the disc. Further, the flying disc has a precise weight for competition. And the materials removed from the flying disc is within 10% of the material weight of the complete electronic housing 9. The host of the Disc Golf® game is interested in finding additional players. The host initiates an application from his mobile phone, although the initiation can be from a variety of different devices, such as discussed above, but not limited to, such as a computer, laptop, smart phone, computer pad, electronic reader, and the like. The application then communicates with an electronic component located in an electronic housing located in the activity device. The communication can be initiated in a variety of ways, such as manual turning on of the electronic housing located in the activity device, or an automatic initiation once the host initiates his application from his mobile phone (by wireless activation). By either the host entering data into his mobile phone about the characteristics or by the activity device automatically recognizing the location and the activity of the game, the electronic device in the activity device then communicates this data via wireless communication to another receiving device, such as a computer. Other viewers of this activity data would understand the location and time of the activity involved with the activity device was initiated and may decide to join the activity based on it. Depending on the components that may exist in the flying disc, the activity data that may be shared are as discussed above, such as the speed or flight path of the disc, the tracking of the disc, the players involved in the game, the statistics of the game, the rules of the game, pictures and videos and sound recordings from the activity, and the like. This activity data is all organized by the software application in a way to efficiently communicate the activity data. The activity data can also be compressed using standard compression methods, such as MPEG, MP3, MP4, AIFF, etc. formats. The compression itself is considered “processing.”

In FIG. 16, the host of the activity either involved in the activity directly or a spectator initiates an application 411. The application can be on the device or toy itself as envisioned in FIGS. 13 and 14, or it can be on a smart phone as discussed in FIG. 15 that communicates with the activity device 412. Again, as in FIG. 15, activity data is read 413, processed, and it is then communicated to a separate receiving device 414. The separate receiving device then processes the data. The process of data will involve posting the activity data or communicating the activity data on a dedicated webpage, database (public and private) as discussed above, website, or social network site 415 as discussed above. The communication or posting of the activity data can involve sharing of photos, recordings from the location, location of the activity, time of the activity, score, players involved, and the like. The type of dedicated network site or a social network site are as discussed above, but not limited to those only. Other interested viewers of this activity data on the website would understand the activity data. For example, suppose a kite flying contest was held at a nearby park. The host of the kite flying contest decides to post the contestants, stats, and various pictures. The host initiates the kite flying contest application on his smart phone, which can communicate with an electronic device on the host's kite. The electronic device does not need to be on the kite, but communicating the data with the host's kite can immediately communicate data to the host application. The host application can also detect other players with electronic components in the kite. Such activity data as the name of the contestants, name of the kite, the type of kite, and speed or height of the kite, or the location of the kite activity using a standard GPS location component can be communicated with the host application. The electronic component on the kite may also take pictures from the sky. Such activity data is processed by organizing the data and compressing the data, and then communicated with a receiving device via wireless communication, as discussed above, but not limited to those types of communications. The information that is received by the receiving device can then post the activity information on the Internet, to a social network site, or a dedicated webpage for kite enthusiasts. Enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience an interactive and immediate experience wherein as shown below, the enthusiasts will be allowed to send a message back to the kite or perhaps with audience participation give instructions to take pictures at the audience's desire.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the same type of activity is contemplated as in FIGS. 13-16, but in this example, the host activates an application from a host device 511. As in FIGS. 13-16, the host device can either be a separate mobile device or computer as discussed above that communicates with an electronic housing in the activity device, or the host device can be the actual electronic housing in the activity device 512. By acting on its own, the host device can be located on a separate device from the activity toy or be located on the toy or host device as discussed above 512. For example, the application can act on its own by initiating the application from a mobile phone device or it can communicate with an electronic component wirelessly that is located on the activity device or toy 513. Then, activity data is read 514. The activity data is processed and then wirelessly communicated with separate receiving device 515, which then further processes the data 516. The activity data is then posted on a dedicated network site or a social network site or a dedicated webpage, 517. After viewers see the activity data on a dedicated network site or social network site, the viewer communicates back via wirelessly other data that may or may not correspond with the activity. For example, let's suppose there's a remote controlled airplane contest that is held at a certain park. A host, whether a spectator or participant of the contest, may initiate the application either by his activity device, in other words, an electronic component in his model plane, or a smart phone application that communicates with an electronic component in the plane. The initiation of the application can also occur in the variations discussed above, such as touch sensor, induction sensor, motion sensor, and the like. At this point other smart phones or activity devices with corresponding components that are participants or spectators of this event may communicate with the host and share the contestant names, photos of the contest, or type of remote controlled plane, or the type of contest, score of the activity, or the actual recognition of the activity. This activity data is organized into lists, compressed, and from the host is then communicated via wirelessly to another device, a receiving device, such as a computer, via wirelessly as discussed above. The names of the contestants, the planes, photos of the activity, and score of the activity will then be posted on a social network, like Facebook, or a dedicated webpage for remote controlled airplane enthusiasts. A viewer may find the information valuable and decide to share his/her own information back to the host, whether it be proper rankings of the contestants or information regarding the rules of the game and such.

In FIG. 18, all the actions are consistent with other embodiments discussed above, but in this case, it communicates activity data with other participants or spectators. When a host activates an application 611 from the activity device, it then seeks to see if it can communicate with other activity devices or mobile phones 612. It may communicate with them and share information, such as activity data 613. This is particularly useful when there are more than one activity device that need to talk to each other. The activity device and its electronic housing with wireless search capabilities searches for other users nearby. The activation of the wireless search may occur by motion sensors or movement sensors located with the circuitry of the electronic housing. Upon electronic handshake, or the like, if multiple participants are found, a communication link is established. There is activity data that is collected by all the participants and then processed by organizing the activity data into lists that correspond to each participant, and then the activity data is compressed and is sent to a receiving device 615. The receiving device may be connected to the Internet, and as discussed above, may share the activity data with other interested viewers. As an example, let's take a simple game of Dungeons & Dragons that is being played by enthusiasts. At this particular game, a host decides to activate an application that describes the current game that is being played. The activation of the application may exist in his figurines. The figurines may communicate with smart phones or other figurines or dice or manuals that are associated with the current game. It can recognize the players that are involved in the game and the fictional players that are represented by the figurines. The data may also come with associated player rankings or level or statistics on characteristics of the fictional players involved. If the electronic components are located it in the figurines, dice, or manual, the electronic components are located in such a way that it would not interfere with the activity. Once again, the weight displaced by taking away material for the electronic component must be within 10% of the weight of the electronic components and done so in a conspicuous manner, such as locating it at the center of the figurine so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of the game. In one particular case, let's say that the electronic component was in the dice. The electronic component may also come with a gyroscope, microprocessor, RAM, ROM, application software, sensors to know when the dice is being tossed and what roll it receives. This can be considered activity data to be communicated with other devices or other users in the room. The processing of the data may involve calculating damages to the characters involved. The recognition of all the players may read and process data, such as the characters that are involved in the game or the time and location of the current game. The data can come from all different users depending on the other participants that are communicating with the host application. At this point, other users may collect more activity data, such as another participant of this activity may have died in the game and is no longer a participant of the activity. This information may be communicated with a receiving device, such as discussed above, and that information can be shared with other enthusiast via dedicated webpage, database, or social network.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, the participation of reading activity data and sharing the activity data does not have to derive from the host. Once an application is initiated, the activity device searches for other participants 715. It then looks to see if another host exists 716, and if it does, it tries to communicate its own activity data with the host participant 718. If it does not, it allows for the ability to host a game and communicate data with other interested users 717. The final connection of the host and the participants all have the ability to process, share, analyze, and communicate the activity data to a receiving device, where it may share that information with a network or social network or dedicated webpage 719, or the like. As a mere example, let's take the situation of a chess tournament. A participant decides to enter the tournament and upon doing so, the participant activates an application located in his activity device that is attached to his personal chess set, pieces, timer, board, or chess tournament membership card. At this time the electronic components establish links with other activity devices as discussed above. Activity data regarding the name of the participant, chess ranking, the type of match that being played, the status, the time, the location using standard GPS components, and the like, are exchanged between the linked activity devices and then the activity data is processed (i.e. organized into lists and compressed). By standard search features on wireless receivers, the activity device searches for a “host.” If there is a host, the participant is given an option to join that host. If there is not a host, the participant is given an option to host the game. In this particular case, the “host” will have a digital signature that is designated for hosting. When the activity devices are linked, the activity device that “hosts” will have a recognizable identity digital signature and will allow other users to participate with the “host.” The host collects all the activity data from all the activity devices in the room and processes it. The processing can be an organization of all the players names, character names, characteristics of the characters, inventory of the characters, past battles, and all other traits. The host communicates the activity data with a receiving device. Activity data can also consist of chess moves in a particular game or the rankings of an individual. This activity data that is sent to is then sent to another receiving device where it can be process and published, as discussed above, but not limited to, such as social network website, like Twitter, or a chess enthusiast webpage. Enthusiasts may interactively provide tips or suggested moves to the activity device.

As shown in FIG. 20, there is an embodiment that in disclosed wherein a user has a device that is constantly searching for other users. In the embodiment, the application is loaded to an electronic component that is attached to the user's activity device, and the application is always on 811. The application constantly searches for other participants 812. Once it recognizes another participant, it makes an effort to communicate with the other participant 813. If communication is established between one or more users 814, then the activity data may be communicated to another receiving device 815. For example, let's say the activity is a friendly game of golf. In this example, an electronic housing may exist in an activity device that is associated with a golf bag, golf clubs, or golf apparel of some nature. The electronic component is on and constantly looking for other devices that it recognizes. Standard devices exist for the sending out of frequencies and the reading of the frequencies, which can be done with low battery power usage. In this embodiment, during a particular activity, one golfer's electronic component picks up on the fact that his friend is also playing in the event. Certain data, such as the name of the golfer, the handicap of the golfer, the course they are playing on and its rating and slope, and location, and time of the event can be shared by the two electronic components being near each other once a wireless connection is established between the two activity devices. The activity data can be the location of the golfer or the swing speed of the golf club. The present invention hereby incorporates the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,005 B1 to Elizondo, which is titled “Device for increasing and measuring the golf, tennis, and batting swing.” Devices known in the art to measure the swing of a golf club and other activity devices are well known in the art. During this event, the activity devices perform electronic handshakes automatically, processes the activity data for efficient transferring (i.e., organizing the participant names into lists with the associated characteristics and compressing the data) and each of the activity device electronic housing is able to communicate the activity data back to the receiving device, which can be posted on the Internet, which allows for an interactive experience.

As shown by the flowchart of FIG. 21, the embodiment disclosed is a system similar to FIG. 20, wherein the application is always on 911, and makes an effort to communicate with other users, 912, and once it recognizes another user, it makes an effort to communicate with the other user 913. Once the communication is established between one or more users 914, the activity data may be communicated between them, processed, and then the processed activity data may be sent to a receiving device that further processes the activity data 915. This activity data may be communicated with a network 916 and ultimately has the ability to communicate data back to the original device and application wirelessly 917. For an example, let's say an activity is planned for playdate of children and their Disney® characters. Disney® characters all vary—some princesses, some Club Penguin® characters, and the like. In this embodiment, these Disney® figurines, dolls, stuffed animals, or character toys contain an electronic component that constantly searches for other characters in the nearby vicinity. This search is performed using wireless communication search capabilities and receiving of wireless communication capabilities as discussed above. Once two activity devices in the shape of stuffed characters or figurines (i.e., in two different dolls that come in contact with each other at the playdate), the electronic components create a communication link, wherein activity data such as rank, total points, name, name of owner, type of doll, tracking information, and other activity data is exchanged. The electronic housing also has a circuitry with a GPS receiver, microprocessor, memory, ROM, RAM, application, and a digital display. The digital display may show the rank of the character and the experience point of the character. The digital display may also show various other information, like the location of the activity device and personal information about its owner. This activity data that is exchanged is valuable to each individual. Further in this embodiment, the act of exchanging the characters and/or activity data between two activity devices allows for the additional activity data to be exchanged, such as the time and location of the exchange. The exchanging of the activity data is the processing of the data, which can also be compressed. This activity data can then be transmitted to a receiving device that can further process and organize this information. In this particular example, the activity devices wirelessly communicate with a receiving device, which is a computer. The computer may use a database (public or private as discussed above) to organize the activity data. The computer may also provide immediate up to date tracking location of where the activity device is currently located. If there is a trade between Disney characters, there can be tracking of the animal so that one person can see where the Disney character ends up. This activity data and the names of the characters and owners and other personal information is then processed at the receiving device. If there is some sort of point system or cash system, the actual participants may obtain cash or points on a dedicated network game, such as Club Penguin, or other social network site. This particular embodiment does not have to be Disney characters. It can be various other devices above, but it can also be collectible items, such as stamps or coins. The coins or stamps can have the electronic housing 9 and the components of RAM, ROM, application software, microprocessor, optionally sensors, standard wireless communication capabilities that miniaturized so as not to interfere with the size or the enjoyment of the activity device. They would also be located in the center of the toy so as hard to reach by children. The tracking of each activity device, whether it is a stuffed animal, a Disney character, or a coin can be done on the Internet when that activity data is shared with a receiving device 16. Other activity data, like the name and rank and starting destination of the activity device is also shared to a larger audience. The receiving device that is able to organize all the activity data can also allow other people to participate in the activity. If a viewer is tracking one Disney character by the activity data that is posted on the Internet, the viewer can actually send a message, updates to a point system or ranking, picture, or voice recording to the activity device either by sending that information directly via wireless communication, such as 3G, 4G, or WiFi capabilities back to the Disney character, wherein that information can be experienced on the display or speakers.

As shown in FIG. 22, an embodiment is disclosed wherein a user creates a “hotspot” wireless capability. In this embodiment, a participant initiates the hotspot 1011 and other users may join the hotspot 1012 and 1015 and potentially share the activity data with other network receiving device. If not, the activity is ended 1016. This disclosure is not intended to exclude wireless capabilities that are not technically called “hotspoting.” This is a mere example of a type of communication that may exist between various activity devices and/or receiving devices. Also, there is embodied a system wherein a daisy chain like sequence can be incorporated such that a pattern may exist in inputting the activity data. These devices can be programmed to transmit only in a certain sequence with each other. The reasons for this may be to create a play by play pattern, or to save frequency airplay, or to create a simpler communication pattern for all the devices that are active. This type of activity data collection is well known in the art.

Let's say there is an example of a football game wherein the electronic housing is located precisely in the laces of the activity device football as in FIG. 8. The electronic housing 9 is placed in lacing 25 so as not to alter the laces' weight or utility. In the making of a football, four panels or pieces of leather or plastic are required. Two of the panels are perforated along adjoining edges, so that they can be laced together. One of these lacing panels receives an additional perforation and reinforcements in its center, to hold the inflation valve. Each panel is attached to an interior lining. The four panels are then stitched together in an “inside-out” manner. The edges with the lacing holes, however, are not stitched together. The ball is then turned right side out by pushing the panels through the lacing hole. A polyurethane or rubber lining called a bladder is inserted through the lacing hole. Usually, a polyvinyl chloride or leather laces are inserted through the perforations to provide a grip to the activity ball. In this particular case, the laces are made by a polyvinyl chloride or synthetic materials, which may include plastics. One section of the lace provides room inside to house a circuitry and electronic components above. The weight and size of these components accurately are within 10% of the actually weight of the leather lace and is tested thoroughly as to not hinder in any way the aerodynamic nature of the activity device. Standard miniaturized modern electronic components are small enough to disclose an electronic housing inside laces having a circuitry, microprocessor, accelerometer, gyroscope, sensors, RAM, ROM, and application software can all exist in a small lace housing.

The electronic components may also exist or coexist in the helmets or padding of football apparel. The tracking of the location of the football, the speed of the football, the location of each player in every move, the spin of the football, the closeness of the football to each player, the time sequence of the plays, and all of these activities can be communicated by various ways as discussed in the many examples of FIGS. 13-21 above are contemplated. Because the above disclosure discloses a device that can record sound recordings and video recordings, the embodiment also envisions the use of video and sound recordings on each activity device, such as helmets, to communicate this activity data to a receiving device. This is considered activity data that is processed and that can be sent to a receiving device. In this particular embodiment, there is a “hotspot” created by a receiving device of some sort. The “hotspot” creation initiates other devices to communicate its activity data by creating a “hotspot” communication capability with the receiving device. With such activity data collected, coaches can study the plays, the speed of each player, the location of each player all on a computer when that activity data is processed and communicated with the appropriate software, which is standard in the industry. Other interested viewers can also communicate back to the activity device any type of message or signal once the information is processed at the receiving device.

As shown in FIG. 23, there is disclosed a capability of the device to be activated by the actual activity 1111. The activated application at this time may have the ability to activate other nearby devices 1112. These nearby devices have standard electronic components that search for certain frequencies and searches for electronic handshakes in order to recognize other devices that are using the same application. Once recognition of an activity exists, the activity device can activate their own applications in the nearby devices. The methods of activation of the application are discussed above, and are not limited to those examples. For example, in a game of Ultimate Frisbee®, the electronic device inside the Frisbee® may be actually activated by the centrifugal force created by the toss. Standard flying discs with lights use the centripetal force of the toss with a spring and simple electronic components to connect and trigger an initiation with a toss. It may also be triggered by proximity, motion, or audio sensors that communicate with each other. In so doing, it may actually activate other nearby devices, such as other activity devices with compatible applications or mobile phones. In such cases, the communication of the devices is achieved when the activity data can be passed back and forth via any of the methods of wireless communication discussed above 1113. In one example, there is disclosed a children's activity for the collection of certain fake coins or stamps. In this particular case, the coins may contain the electronic housing and components. There also exists in these coins GPS, sensors, microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and ability to run application. These coins or stamps can be traded. Activity data about the trade and the owner of the coins can be exchanged between the activity devices and processed. The activity data can then be communicated by wireless communication to a receiving device where people all over the world can track the coin or play a point system game and track the statistics of the point system and rankings of each player online. As discussed, the interactive experience would allow the worldwide audience to comment about a particular trade or give commands to the actually activity device.

As discussed above, the inventive concepts are as follows:

An activity device used in an activity comprising a body suitable for the activity, the body having an electronic housing having a first electronic component having a circuitry and input components capable of collecting data about the activity and capability for processing the activity data, and a second electronic component capable of sending the activity data to a receiving device. The processing of data includes organizing the data into lists or organizing the data into tables or arrays. The processing of data also may include compressing of the data using standard compression methods so that when the data is communicated, the data is efficient and the interactive experience is immediate. The first electronic component is capable of storing, processing, and outputting the activity data. The output can be external display or speakers or any type of disconnected, external output device. Further, the receiving device is capable of receiving the activity data and further processing the activity data. Further, the activity device can be a Frisbee® or a flying disc. Further, the activity device can be a flying toy, or flying vehicle, or football, baseball, basketball, flying ring, sport ball, Olympic weights, projectiles, guns, soccer ball, sponge balls, sponge darts, darts, flying toy airplanes, flying toy helicopters, dolls, action figures, figurines, teddy bears, chess pieces, golf clubs or golf apparel, collectible and tradable cards or coins, tennis racquets or tennis apparel, and the such. The activity device is not limited to these examples only.

The activity device collects activity data, wherein the activity data is comprised of photos of the activity, videos of the activity, sound recordings of the activity, the type of activity, the score of an activity, the location of an activity, the time an activity started and/or stopped, the rules of the activity, the participants of the activity, personal information about the participants of the activity, the point systems involved in an activity, and/or the stats of an activity. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee® game, or golf Frisbee® game, Disc Frisbee®, or a basketball game, or a baseball game, or a hockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flying contest, or a flying vehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game of roll-playing game, or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bike race, an activity involving trading of cards or coins, or an organized activity involving themed characters or figures.

The activity device collects activity data by using an application. The application can be software that resides in the circuitry of the first electronic component.

There is disclosed a trigger that plays pre-recorded messages from an activation that is triggered by touch or a catch of the activity device, the “touch” by the user that activates the play of the recording in an external device. The trigger can be a sensor for motion or light. The trigger can be manual, such as a button that a user decides to manually press.

In one embodiment, the activity device is a circular flying disc, and this activity device has the first electronic component and second electronic component that are comprised of a weight and shape and are located in the middle and the activity device such that the total weight of said activity device weighs between 150 and 180 grams. The activity device also include sound producing speakers wherein the sound producing speakers are located centrally as not to distort the flight of the flying disc or create interferences with the sound.

In another embodiment, the activity device is an oblong spherical shape, or a football shape. In this embodiment, the activity device is an air-filled sphere with a circumference of 68-70 cm (27-28 in), a weight 410-450 g (14-16 oz), inflated to a pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 atmospheres (59-108 kPa, 8.6-15.7 psi) at sea level, and covered in leather or other suitable material, such as plastic, leather/plastic hybrid, synthetic material, sponge material, but not limited to these materials. In this embodiment, the electronic component or components are placed in the laces or at the center inside of the activity device and displaced with the equal amount of weight being taken off the activity device in a way as not to interfere with the normal flight or movement of the activity device during the course of the activity.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy, such as a toy animal or toy coin. In this embodiment, for example, it if the toy animal was a duck, the electronic component or components would be hidden in the beak of the duck, or perhaps the eye of the duck, so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of the duck.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy airplane. In this embodiment, the electronic component or components, would be located at the nose of the plane such as to equally disperse the weight of the components to both side of the activity device and also perhaps aid in the flight of the device if the device needs added weight.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy doll or stuffed animal. In this embodiment, the activity device can be a theme park animal. It can be action figures. It can be accessories, or coins. In this embodiment, the activity device will have the electronic component, such as the microprocessor, wireless communicator, RAM, ROM, application software, and such all located in an area such as the nose of the stuffed animal. It can also be in the paw of the animal. The activity device can be triggered by way sensor, motion sensor, touch sensor, and the like as discussed below.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a paddle and ball. In this embodiment, the electronic components are in both the ball and the paddle and they are located in a place as to not interfere with the flight of the ball or the motion of the paddle. In each of these cases, an equal amount of weight is displaced from the device as the weight of the electronic components.

In other embodiments, whether the activity device is roller skates, hockey puck, skateboard, motorcycle, racing bike, swimming goggles, or the like, the electronic components discussed below must weigh within 1 to 10 percent of the displaced weight taken out from the activity device so as not to interfere with the normal movement of the activity device.

The first electronic component of the activity device has a microprocessor and the ability to contain an application. The application is software that can process activity data related to the activity. The application can be recording application to record sound bites of an activity, a recording application to record pictures or videos of an activity, stat processing application to store and process stats of an activity, organization application to process the names of participants in an activity or personal information about the participants or spectators involved in the activity, an application to keep the score of an activity, a point system application that involves point systems for participants, an application for the names of devices in the activity or the type of activity and/or the rules of an activity. The type of application is not limited to these only types.

The first electronic component may have an activation trigger. The activation trigger can be a sensory touch pad, synchronized time trigger, which is called a hive trigger, internal clock and trigger, the centripetal force of the activity device being thrown, accelerometer, motion sensor, the physical movement of the activity device being used in an activity, the effect of another device activating it via wireless technology, such as a smart phone, laptop, computer, satellite communication, or just manual activation. The immediacy of the activation trigger allows for the quicker responses that are needed for a quick interactive experience. The activation trigger can be mechanical, pressure-triggered, moisture-triggered, capacitive-triggered, electromagnetically-triggered, wirelessly triggered, motion sensor triggered, input keypad, induction-triggered, or a combination thereof. The activation trigger acts to initiate the application. In this particular case, this activation is considered to be the activity data. A trigger for playing a pre-recorded message might, for example, be initiated by the activation data sent to the processor when a touch trigger is activated.

The activity device has a second electronic component that has the ability to communicate the activity data to a receiving device, which can be speakers for audio related features, a monitor for video or picture related activity, or some form of electronic component that vibrates, or it can also be another computer, smart phone, laptop, table PC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate fax machines, netbook, or another activity device being used separately. In cases, where the receiving device is a computer, smart phone, laptop, table PC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate fax machines, netbook, or another activity device, the ability to communicate with the receiving device must not interfere with the activity, and such communication means can be done by wireless communication, such as NFC, Bluetooth, hotspot creation, WiFi, satellite communication, phone frequency communication, 3G or 4G or 5G frequency communication.

The receiving device contains a third electronic component that can process the information. The third electronic component can display the activity data, can show the activity data in instances of the activity data being pictures or video, play the activity data in instances where the activity data is audio, organize the activity data, compare activity data of various users, compute activity data with activity data of other participants, calculate the activity data for scoring or point system purposes, database the activity data, and communicate the activity data to other viewers. The communication of the activity data to other viewers can be done by the Internet, and the activity data can be sent out by email, by text messages, by posting the information on a dedicated Website, by posting the information to a social network site, such as Twitter or Facebook or Myspace, or by creating its own webpage for the viewers.

In instances where the receiving device is another activity device, the activity data that is communicated can be combined with the activity data of the separate activity device and processed or computed to organize the combined activity data or compare or statistically calculated for purposes of scoring or point system tracking. There can be more than one receiving device, and there can be the ability to compute all activity data in all receiving devices. The receiving device in this instance can be triggered by sensory touch pad, hive trigger, internal clock and trigger, the centripetal force of the activity device being thrown, accelerometer, motion sensor, the activity of the activity device, or manual activation.

The point system is such that it can exist for children and games or adults. It can keep track of players, rankings, skill level, the inventory of items that they may be associated with, personal information. For purposes of activity devices that use dolls and characters or coins and collectibles, there can be a tracking feature associated with the point system that allows for people to track where their activity device is located or has been traded to.

A fourth electronic component exists wherein the viewer of the activity data can communicate separate data back to the first electronic component. The separate data can be text messages, video, pictures, audio, activity stats, activity rules, activity rankings, viewer statistics, the name and personal information of the viewer such that the person involved in the activity with the activity device can view, listen, or process the separate data. The separate data can also be simple digital instructions that can be used by the activity device to perform commands. The separate data may be an instruction to take a picture or turn the flying toy or turn off the flying capabilities.

The present invention calls for a recreational device made of various hard or flexible plastics, fiber, fiberglass, fabric, wood, metals, alloys, polymers, molding, sponge, rubber, vinyl, foam, and plastic.

The present invention calls for an activity device with an electronic housing that may contain one or more of the following: recording component, a speaker component, a memory storage component, a wireless communication component, video component, and a camera component. The device also contains a microprocessor, memory, energy source, and data input and transfer means. Further, the electronic component can communicate with other activity devices. It may communicate with other recreational toys or the like. It may contain a radio transmitter or an ability to interact with a user such to alter the movement of the toy or device depending on the interaction of the user.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A flying disc used in a sporting activity comprising

a disc shaped body;

a electronic housing having an input component capable of collecting data about said activity, a microprocessor, a second component to run a software application, said input means being connected to said microprocessor, said microprocessor having the means to run an application and process said activity data, a component to send said activity data to a separate unconnected receiving device, said receiving device having a component to process the activity data.

2. The flying disc of claim 1 wherein the said electronic housing is comprised of a weight and shape to minimize the aerodynamic impact of said flying toy and wherein said activity data is a sound recording, said input component is a recording device, and wherein there is a trigger that records activity data and plays the activity data at the receiving device.