Entertainment device, system, and method

An entertainment device for combining virtual images with real images captured by a video camera so as to generate augmented reality images, said device comprising:

• a receiver operable to receive a sequence of video images from said video camera via a communications link;
• a detector operable to detect an augmented reality marker within the received video images;
• and
• a processor operable to generate a virtual image plane in dependence upon the detection of said augmented reality marker by said detector, said virtual image plane being arranged to be substantially coplanar with a real surface upon which said augmented reality marker is placed so that virtual images may be generated with respect to said real surface,
• in which:
• said processor is operable to generate said virtual image plane within the captured video images, and to calibrate said virtual image plane to said augmented reality marker such that said virtual image plane is defined with respect to the detected augmented reality marker, said processor being operable to generate said virtual image plane such that, once said virtual image plane has been calibrated to said augmented reality marker, said augmented reality marker can be removed from a field of view of said camera while said virtual image plane remains for use during generation of augmented reality images;
• and
• said virtual image plane has an area which is greater than an area which corresponds to said augmented reality marker.