Electronic game enhancement systems and methods

• US 20020128069A1
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John M. Albrecht
• Original Assignee: John M. Albrecht
• Inventors: Albrecht, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,616,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards

Abstract

An electronic game enhancement system including an electronic game stored in game memory, an electronic game device for accessing and playing the electronic game, an electronic component stored in the memory of a memory device for enhancing the electronic game, a consumer instrument associated with the memory device, and a data transfer system associated with the electronic game device and the memory device for facilitating a transfer of the electronic component from the memory of the memory device to the game memory for enhancing the functionality of the electronic game.

Claims

1. An electronic game enhancement system comprising:

an electronic game stored in first memory;

electronic apparatus having an input device responsive to commands for accessing and playing the electronic game;

an electronic component stored in second memory, the electronic component for enhancing the electronic game;

a consumer instrument associated with a device containing the second memory; and

a data transfer system associated with the electronic apparatus and the device for transferring the electronic component from the second memory to the first memory for enhancing the electronic game.

2. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the consumer instrument comprises a consumer product, and the device is attached to one of the consumer product and packaging of the consumer product.

3. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the consumer instrument comprises at least one of a product, a service and an advertisement.

4. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a personal game device.

5. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a computer.

6. An electronic game enhancement system comprising:

an electronic game stored in memory;

electronic apparatus having an input device responsive to commands for accessing and playing the electronic game;

an electronic component stored in password-accessible memory, the electronic component for enhancing the electronic game;

a consumer instrument associated with a password to the password-accessible memory; and

the electronic component being accessible by the electronic apparatus in response to entry of the password into the electronic apparatus with the input device.

7. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the consumer instrument comprises a consumer product, and the password is attached to one of the consumer product and packaging of the consumer product.

8. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the consumer instrument comprises at least one of a product and a service.

9. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the consumer instrument comprises an advertisement, and the password is incorporated with the advertisement.

10. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the consumer instrument comprises a document, and the password is affixed to the document.

11. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a personal game device.

12. The electronic game enhancement system of claim 6, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a computer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of associating the consumer instrument with the device further includes attaching the device to one of a consumer product and packaging of a consumer product.

15. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein the step of associating the consumer instrument with the device further includes permitting access to the device after payment of a service.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of associating the password to the password-accessible memory with a consumer instrument further includes attaching the password to one of a consumer product and packaging of a consumer product.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of associating the password to the password-accessible memory with a consumer instrument further includes permitting access to the password after payment of a service.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of associating the password to the password-accessible memory with a consumer instrument further includes incorporating the password with an advertisement.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of associating the password to the password-accessible memory with a consumer instrument further includes affixing the password to a receipt.

13. A method of enhancing electronic game functionality comprising steps of:

providing an electronic game stored in first memory and electronic apparatus having an input device responsive to commands for accessing and playing the electronic game;

providing an electronic component stored in second memory, the electronic component for enhancing the electronic game;

associating a consumer instrument with a device containing the second memory; and

associating a data transfer system with the electronic apparatus and the device for facilitating a transfer of the electronic component from the second memory to the first memory for enhancing the electronic game.

16. A method of enhancing electronic game functionality comprising steps of:

providing an electronic game stored in memory and electronic apparatus having an input device responsive to commands for accessing and playing the electronic game;

providing an electronic component stored in password-accessible memory, the electronic component for enhancing the electronic game;

associating a password to the password-accessible memory with a consumer instrument; and

obtaining the password from the consumer instrument; and

entering the password into the electronic apparatus with the input device for gaining access to the password-accessible memory and enhancing the electronic game with the electronic component.