OTHER PUBLICATIONS
1986 Activision Home Computer Software product insert "Little Computer People Discovery Kit", Dec. 7, 1998.
Primary Examiner—-Jessica J. Harrison
Assistant Examiner—Shelia Clayton
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
[57] ABSTRACT
An apparatus and method for communicating between a hand-held electronic game apparatus and other electronic systems is described. Small hand-held electronic games, preprogrammed with a single game, may be linked together through a communications unit to engage in interactive gaming between two users. Alternatively, the communications unit can be connected via a special cable connected to the serial port of a personal computer to permit connection to a central processing unit on an Internet website. The website central processing unit can modify the preprogrammed game, provide upgrades to the game, unlock hidden features and simulate a second hand-held electronic game apparatus for interactive play with a user. Software is installed on the personal computer permits communication between the hand-held electronic game and the personal computer, between the PC and the Internet website and thus between the hand-held game and the Internet website. Data from the hand-held game can be communicated to the Internet website, for example, to register high scores, or to play the preprogrammed game with other game users connected to the website.
31 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
