Mass storage in gaming handhelds

• US 20070087796A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Varma, Ankur
• Granted Patent: US 9,573,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/14 Protection against unauthorised use of memory or access to memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2141 Access rights, e.g. capability lists, access control lists, access tables, access matrices

Abstract

A handheld gaming device having a non-removable hard disk drive memory is used to perform gaming and non-gaming functions. The hard disk drive memory provides internal mass storage that is utilizable for storing various types of game-related information and non-game-related information. In one embodiment, the hard disk drive is configured to store selected portions of data in assigned regions of memory. The internal mass storage can be used to store saved game data, game specific data, and can be used as a buffer while streaming content from a remote server or drive. The internal mass storage also can be used to store other types of information, such as calendar information, personal appointments, maps, photographs, and other third party game related information.

Claims

1. A handheld gaming device comprising a hard disk drive memory.

2. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hard disk drive memory comprises a non-removable hard disk drive.

3. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said hard disk drive memory comprises at least one of a 0.85 inch hard disk drive, a 1 inch hard disk drive, a 1.8 inch hard disk drive, a 2.5 inch hard disk drive, and a 3.5 inch hard disk drive; and

at least a portion of a game is downloadable to said hard disk drive memory from at least one of a disc, a network, and a Universal Serial Bus compatible port.

4. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hard disk drive memory is configured to store game related information and non-game related information.

5. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hard disk drive memory is configured to store at least one of current game information, saved game information, a personal game profile, game metadata, calendar information, personal appointments, an address, an instant message, an email message, a map, a photographic image, and audio information.

6. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hard disk drive memory is configured to buffer streaming data.

7. A handheld gaming device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said hard disk drive memory comprises separate storage areas for storing selected types of information; and

at least one of said storage areas if for storing saved game data.

8. A method for storing information in a hard disk drive memory of a handheld gaming device, said method comprising:

receiving a request to save information in a hard disk drive memory of a handheld gaming device;

responsive to said request, storing said information in said hard disk drive memory of a handheld gaming device.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said hard disk drive memory comprises separate storage areas for storing selected types of information, said method further comprising storing saved game data in at least one of said storage areas.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said information comprises game related information and non-game related information.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said information comprises at least one of current game information, saved game information, a personal game profile, game metadata, calendar information, personal appointments, an address, an instant message, an email message, a map, a photographic image, and audio information.

12. A method in accordance claim 8, wherein said hard disk drive memory comprises a non-removable hard disk drive.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said hard disk drive memory comprises at least one of a 0.85 inch hard disk drive, a 1 inch hard disk drive, a 1.8 inch hard disk drive, a 2.5 inch hard disk drive, and a 3.5 inch hard disk drive; and

at least a portion of a game is downloadable to said hard disk drive memory from at least one of a disc, a network, and a Universal Serial Bus compatible port.

14. A method in according with claim 8, said method further comprising utilizing said hard disk drive memory of said handheld gaming device as a buffer for streaming data.

15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the act of storing information in a hard disk drive memory of a handheld gaming device.

16. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, wherein said hard disk drive memory comprises separate storage areas for storing selected type of information, said computer-readable medium having further computer-executable instructions for storing saved game data in at least one of said storage areas.

17. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, said computer-readable medium having further computer-executable instructions for storing game related information and non-game related information in said hard disk drive memory of said handheld gaming device.

18. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, said computer-readable medium having further computer-executable instructions for storing at least one of current game information, saved game information, a personal game profile, game metadata, calendar information, personal appointments, an address, an instant message, an email message, a map, a photographic image, and audio information.

19. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, said computer-readable medium having further computer-executable instructions for utilizing said hard disk drive memory of said handheld gaming device as a buffer for streaming data.

20. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said hard disk drive memory comprises a non-removable hard disk drive;

said hard disk drive memory comprises at least one of a 0.85 inch hard disk drive, a 1 inch hard disk drive, a 1.8 inch hard disk drive, a 2.5 inch hard disk drive, and a 3.5 inch hard disk drive; and

at least a portion of a game is downloadable to said hard disk drive memory from at least one of a disc, a network, and a Universal Serial Bus compatible port.