Method and apparatus using insertably-removable auxiliary devices to play games over a communications link
First Claim
1. A mobile device, comprising:
- a processor coupled to an inner portion of a mobile device housing;
a detachable wireless receiver coupled to a connector, wherein the connector is coupled to the mobile device housing; and
an input mechanism configured to receive a user input indicative of a game, wherein instructions indicative of the game are stored on at least one wireless game cartridge of a plurality of wireless game cartridges, each of the plurality of wireless game cartridges storing instructions indicative of a different game, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the detachable wireless receiver to a selectively establish a wireless communication channel with the at least one wireless game cartridge, wherein the processor is programmed to receive, via the detachable wireless receiver, the instructions indicative of the game stored on the at least one wireless game cartridge, and wherein the processor is programmed to execute the instructions indicative of the game while the wireless receiver is wirelessly communicating with the at least one wireless game cartridge.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that identifies and safely couples an insertably-removable auxiliary device (IRAD) to a processor so that games can be played over a communications link without damaging the IRAD or the processor. An auxiliary connector, into which the IRAD is inserted, is not connected to the processor until after the identity of the IRAD is determined. The processor resides in a communications device, such as a wireless telephone, walkie-talkie, toy, or the like. Upon the activation of an auxiliary mode, a user is prompted to insert an IRAD into the auxiliary connector. An IRAD used to play a game can be an auxiliary keypad, an auxiliary processor, an auxiliary display, a supplemental program module that stores computer-readable code, an electronic board game, an auxiliary graphical user interface (GUI) (e.g., auxiliary steering wheel, auxiliary joystick, virtual reality viewer), or a headset including a microphone and speaker.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A mobile device, comprising:
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a processor coupled to an inner portion of a mobile device housing; a detachable wireless receiver coupled to a connector, wherein the connector is coupled to the mobile device housing; and an input mechanism configured to receive a user input indicative of a game, wherein instructions indicative of the game are stored on at least one wireless game cartridge of a plurality of wireless game cartridges, each of the plurality of wireless game cartridges storing instructions indicative of a different game, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the detachable wireless receiver to a selectively establish a wireless communication channel with the at least one wireless game cartridge, wherein the processor is programmed to receive, via the detachable wireless receiver, the instructions indicative of the game stored on the at least one wireless game cartridge, and wherein the processor is programmed to execute the instructions indicative of the game while the wireless receiver is wirelessly communicating with the at least one wireless game cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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wirelessly communicating, via a cellular transceiver of a first mobile device, with a second mobile device; receiving a user input indicative of a game, wherein instructions indicative of the game are stored on at least one wireless game cartridge of a plurality of wireless game cartridges, each of the plurality of wireless game cartridges storing instructions indicative of a different game; selectively establishing, by a detachable wireless receiver coupled to a connector, a wireless communication channel between a processor of the first mobile device and the at least one wireless game cartridge, wherein the connector is coupled to a housing of the first mobile device; receiving, via the detachable wireless receiver, the instructions indicative of the game stored on the at least one wireless game cartridge; executing, by the processor of the first mobile device, the instructions indicative of the game; and sending, via the cellular transceiver, game information generated by executing the instructions indicative of the game from the first mobile device to the second mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer-readable memory device configured to be integrated within a housing of a mobile device, the computer-readable memory device comprising:
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instructions to receive a user input indicative of a game, wherein instructions indicative of the game are stored on at least one wireless game cartridge of a plurality of wireless game cartridges, each of the plurality of wireless game cartridges storing instructions indicative of a different game; instructions to selectively establish, by a detachable wireless receiver coupled to a connector on the housing, a wireless communication channel between a processor of the mobile device and the at least one wireless game cartridge; instructions to receive, via the detachable wireless receiver, the instructions indicative of the game stored on the at least one wireless game cartridge; and instructions to execute the instructions indicative of the game. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification