ADDING VIRTUAL FEATURES VIA REAL WORLD ACCESSORIES

• US 20080320041A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ferrans, James C., Engelsma, Jonathan R., Vasudevan, Venugopal, Hans, Mathieu C.
• Application Number:
  US11/766,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20080320041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/556 Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and electronic device for enhancing virtual features in devices are disclosed. A connection interface may pair the mobile telecommunications apparatus with a first accessory. A processor may execute a software program and add a virtual feature associated with the first accessory when the first accessory is present.

Claims

1. A method enhancing functionality in devices, comprising:

pairing a first computing device with an accessory associated with a first virtual feature;

adding the first virtual feature to a first application executed by the first computing device;

storing a virtual feature state associated with the accessory representing the first virtual feature; and

dynamically altering the virtual feature state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dynamically altering the virtual feature state as a function of context.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in a virtual feature database.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the virtual feature database is accessible by a second computing device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein a second computing device associates with the accessory and accesses the virtual feature state in the virtual feature database.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second computing device adds a second virtual feature associated with the accessory and represented by the virtual feature state to a second application.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in the accessory.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the virtual feature to access a networked data store.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the first accessory being out of a given range of the first processing device; and

deactivating the virtual feature.

10. A mobile telecommunications apparatus capable of enhanced functionality, comprising:

a connection interface that pairs a first computing device with a first accessory associated with a first virtual feature;

a memory that stores a virtual feature state associated with the first virtual feature; and

a processor that executes a first application, adds the first virtual feature to the software program, and dynamically alters the virtual feature state as a feature of context.

11. The mobile telecommunications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection interface transmits an update of the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in a virtual feature database.

12. The mobile telecommunications apparatus of claim 11, wherein a second computing device associates with the accessory and accesses the virtual feature state in the virtual feature database.

13. The mobile telecommunications apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second computing device adds a second virtual feature associated with the accessory and represented by the virtual feature state to a second application.

14. The mobile telecommunications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection interface transmits an update of the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in the accessory.

15. The mobile telecommunications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection interface detects the first accessory being out of a given range of the first processing device and the processor deactivates the virtual feature.

16. An electronic device capable of enhanced functionality, comprising:

a connection interface that pairs a first computing device with a first accessory associated with a first virtual feature;

a memory that stores a virtual feature state associated with the first virtual feature; and

a processor that executes a first application, adds the first virtual feature to the software program, and dynamically alters the virtual feature state as a feature of context.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the connection interface transmits an update of the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in a virtual feature database.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein a second computing device associates with the accessory and accesses the virtual feature state in the virtual feature database.

19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the connection interface transmits an update of the virtual feature state of the first virtual feature in the accessory.

20. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the connection interface detects the first accessory being out of a given range of the first processing device and the processor deactivates the virtual feature.