Method and apparatus for providing games and content

• US 7,676,584 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KID Group LLC
• Original Assignee: KID Group LLC
• Inventors: Clemens, Brian, Klitsner, Dan, Forest, Joe, Levenberg, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan; Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yohannes; Tesfay
• Application Number:
  US11/709,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227
• US Class Current: 709/227
• 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 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• 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 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• 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 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• 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 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;

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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device;

a first locus for the first memory, wherein the first memory is positioned by using the first locus; and

a second locus for the second memory, wherein the second memory is positioned by using the second locus, wherein the second memory is configured to provide a functionality for the apparatus, wherein the second locus is configured such that the second memory is removable from the second locus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second memory comprises a plurality of configurations, each configuration having a user selectable functionality, wherein when the second memory is replaced by using an alternate configuration for the second memory, an alternate functionality is selected.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second memory comprises a removable EEPROM, wherein the second locus comprises a socket for the removable EEPROM.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third memory, the third memory configured to provide an additional functionality for the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third locus for the third memory, the third locus configured such that the third memory is removable from the third locus.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third memory is positioned within the third locus.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third locus comprises a socket.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to emulate a different device type other than an actual device type such that the apparatus is mounted as the different device type on the electronic device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus configured to retrieve a program.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a registry, the registry configured to indicate whether the program is retrieved, wherein the program is retrieved for the electronic device.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, the apparatus configured to retrieve the program by using the second memory, wherein a portion of the second memory is hidden from an operating system of the electronic device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the functionality comprises a link to a first set of content.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the functionality comprises one or more credits.

14. 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, thereby forming a retrieved 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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device; and

providing a functionality by using a second memory that is removable from a second locus, wherein the providing step includes automatically navigating to a predetermined location.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second memory comprises a plurality of configurations, each configuration having a user selectable functionality, such that when the second memory is replaced by using an alternate configuration for the second memory, an alternate functionality is selected.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing an additional functionality by using a third memory.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting an alternative functionality by replacing the third memory.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising emulating a different device type other than an actual device type.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising retrieving a remote program.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising hiding a portion of the second memory.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether a program is downloaded.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising running a retrieved program.

23. The method of claim 14, the functionality further comprising a link to a first set of content.

24. The method of claim 14, the functionality further comprising one or more credits.

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

a 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 and prevents navigation to another location, wherein the apparatus is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system upon the connector coupling to the electronic device.

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

a 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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device and further wherein the apparatus configured for a first launch and a second launch, wherein the first launch occurs when the apparatus is initially coupled to the electronic device and the electronic device stores an application, wherein the second launch is subsequent the first launch, such that the second launch is faster than the first launch.

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

a 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 and prevents navigation to another location, wherein the apparatus is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system upon the connector coupling to the electronic device such that when the apparatus is decoupled from the electronic device, a functionality is disabled.

28. 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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device;

using data from a second memory, thereby automatically navigating to a predetermined location; and

storing an application on the electronic device such that a second launch is faster than a first launch.

29. 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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device;

using data from a second memory;

retrieving a set of predetermined locations, thereby automatically navigating to a location within the set; and

preventing navigation to a location that is not within the set.

30. 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 upon the connector coupling to the electronic device;

using data from a second memory that is removable from a second locus, thereby automatically navigating to a predetermined location;

determining that the connector is disconnected; and

disabling a functionality in response thereto.

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

a connector for interfacing with the electronic device;

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

a first memory having a plurality of partitions, the partitions 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

data for automatic navigation to a predetermined location,

wherein the first memory is configured to provide a functionality for the apparatus,

wherein the apparatus is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system upon the connector coupling to the electronic device.