Game and video cartridge for a host device

• US 20080182670A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Amron
• Original Assignee: Alan Amron
• Inventors: Amron, Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/704,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20080182670A1
• 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 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• 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

Abstract

A memory cartridge having an entertainment application is inserted in an interface connected to a host device. The host device is automatically instructed or requested to play the entertainment application residing on the memory cartridge. The instruction may be generated in the host device itself or by the memory cartridge. In response to the instruction, the host device plays the application.

Claims

1. A memory device connectable to an interface port of a host device having a display and a microprocessor, said memory device storing:

an entertainment application comprising primary data which includes at least one of audio and video components; and

a file or command readable or executable by the host device upon insertion of the memory device into an interface port of the host device or upon turning on the host device when the memory device is inserted in the interface port, the file or command including a request for the host device to display or play the at least one of video and audio components of said primary data of said entertainment application.

2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory device further stores a startup image and said file or command includes a request to display said startup image before displaying the one of video and audio components of said primary data.

3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory device further stores a menu image for displaying available menu choices and said file or command includes a request to display said menu image before displaying the one of video and audio components of said primary data.

4. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said primary data comprises a plurality of versions of the one of video and audio components, and said file or command includes instructions directing the host device to the appropriate one of said versions.

5. The memory device of claim 4, wherein said file or command includes instructions allowing the host device to determine which of the versions to display.

6. The memory device of claim 1, further storing a video decoder, wherein said one of video and audio components comprises a video application that is decoded by said video decoder program on said memory device to produce decoded information which is transmittable to the host device for display.

7. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory device is a portable memory device.

8. The memory device of claim 1, further comprising a file that is executable on said memory device.

9. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory device comprises one of mini SD, SD, compact flash, memory stick, memory storage card, or mini hard drive.

10. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the host device is a mobile terminal.

11. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the host device is one of a mobile phone, digital camera, and personal digital assistant.

12. The memory device of claim 1, wherein said host device is a television.

13. A method for displaying or playing an entertainment application on a host device, comprising the steps of:

inserting a removable memory device into an interface connected to the host device, the memory device storing an entertainment application having primary data including at least one of audio or video components;

providing instructions for the host device to display or play the entertainment application; and

displaying or playing, by the host device, the at least one of audio or video components of the primary data in response to the instructions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said host device checks for a file stored on the memory device upon insertion of the memory device in the interface, said file containing or generating the instructions, and automatically processes the instructions.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the memory cartridge further stores a startup image and said step of displaying comprises displaying, by the host device, the startup image prior to displaying or playing the at least one of audio and video components of the primary data in response to the request.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of displaying further comprises displaying the at least one of video and audio components in response to the request after said startup image is displayed and in response to a user input to play or display the entertainment application.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user input is provided using manipulable buttons or switches on the host device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the user input is provided using a touchscreen on the host device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the memory cartridge further stores a menu image and said step of displaying comprises displaying, by the host device, the menu image prior to displaying the at least one of audio and video components of the primary data in response to the request.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein menu image displays at least two items related to different sections of the at least one of audio and video components of the primary data in response to the request, said step of displaying further comprising displaying one of the different sections in response to a user input.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the user input is provided using manipulable buttons or switches on the host device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the user input is provided using a touchscreen on the host device.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the instructions include separate instruction sets for a plurality of different host devices, each of the separate instruction sets being applicable to an associated one of said different host devices or an associated group of the different host devices.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the memory cartridge includes a video decoder, wherein the separate instructions include using the video decoder on the memory device for host devices that do not include an appropriate video decoder.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the memory device includes a video decoder, said step of displaying comprises decoding video components of the entertainment application using the video decoder on the memory device and sending a stream of decoded data to the host device to be displayed.

26. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of providing instructions comprises running a program or file on the memory device which contains or generates the instructions and transmits the instructions to the host device.

27. The method of claim 13, wherein the host device is a camera.

28. The method of claim 13, wherein the host device is a mobile phone.

29. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of playing back the entertainment application comprises pausing the playback in response to a user input to revert to the normal function of the host device.