Method and apparatus for providing games and content

• US 20060287110A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KID Group LLC, Kid Interactive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kid Interactive, LLC
• Inventors: Clemens, Brian, Klitsner, Dan, Forest, Joe, Levenberg, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/44
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/209 characterized by low level software layer, relating to hardware management, e.g. Operating System, Application Programming Interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication

Abstract

In an embodiment of the invention, a dongle is configured for communication with an electronic device. The dongle includes a connector, a controller, a first memory and a second memory. The connector is for interfacing with the electronic device. The controller is for controlling the interface between the connector and the electronic device. The first memory includes a file system. The controller is configured to provide automatic recognition of the dongle and mounting of the file system to the electronic device by using the connector when the dongle interfaces with the electronic device. The second memory has data for automatic navigation to a predetermined location. The dongle is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for communication with an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a connector, the connector for interfacing with the electronic device;

a controller for controlling the interface between the connector and the electronic device;

a first memory comprising a file system, wherein the controller is configured to provide automatic recognition of the apparatus and mounting of the file system to the electronic device by using the connector when the apparatus interfaces with the electronic device; and

a second memory having data for automatic navigation to a predetermined location,

wherein the apparatus is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contents of the second memory are hidden from an operating system of the electronic device such that the contents are only accessible through the controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller permits a write operation to at least one of the first and second memories.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller denies a write operation to at least one of the first and second memories.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data comprises a link to a remote location.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second memory further includes a security code for automated authentication of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus provides authorization for accessing secured information by using a unique identifier.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to emulate a compact disc such that the apparatus is mounted as a compact disc on the electronic device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises an operating system, the operating system configured for autorun capability.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first memory contains an information file, the information file specifying the element of the file system for automatic execution.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is a universal serial bus (USB) type connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first memory comprises read only memory (ROM).

13. The apparatus of claim 1, where the second memory is non volatile.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer, a server, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a game station.

15. A method of interfacing with an electronic device, the method comprising:

coupling to the electronic device by using a connector;

controlling the interface between the connector and the electronic device;

retrieving from a first memory a stored file system;

providing the retrieved file system to the electronic device by using the connector;

automatically recognizing the file system when the connector interfaces with the electronic device;

automatically executing an element of the file system; and

using data from a second memory.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the contents of the second memory are hidden from an operating system of the electronic device such that the contents are only accessible through the step of controlling the interface between the connector and the electronic device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the data comprises a link to a remote location.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second memory further includes a security code for automated authentication.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further provides authorization for accessing secured information by using a unique identifier.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising emulating a compact disc such that the file system is mounted as a compact disc on the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises an operating system, the operating system configured for autorun capability, the autorun capability for launching an application.

22. The method of claim 21, where in the application comprises a browser.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the first memory contains an information file, the information file specifying the element of the file system for automatic execution.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the first memory comprises read only memory (ROM).

25. The method of claim 15, where the second memory is non volatile.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer, a server, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a game station.

27. A system for providing content, the system comprising:

an electronic device for receiving the content;

a source location having a unique address, the source location including the content;

a security code for authenticating access to the source location;

an apparatus storing the security code, the apparatus configured to provide the security code to the source location when the apparatus is coupled to the electronic device such that the source location provides the content to the electronic device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is mounted by an operating system of the electronic device as a read only removable storage medium.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is mounted by an operating system of the electronic device as a writeable removable storage medium.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is mounted by an operating system of the electronic device as a compact disc (CD) type removable storage medium only.