Systems and methods for quickly selecting video games

• US 8,177,641 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Giaimo, Edward C. III, McLoone, Hugh E. Jr., Trim, James Damon, Bronstein, Manuel U., Irving, Richard H., Lauby, William J., Reents, Jeffery M., Lawrence, William, Pennello, Albert J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US11/407,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20060246969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,217 Days
• Field of Search: 463/29, 463/37, 463/42, 341/22, 361/679.3, 345/168
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/056 with sliding loading means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/027 Covers G11B33/022 takes precedence; with means for guiding the record carrier G11B17/34

Abstract

A video game controller is equipped with an electronic input that can read a game identification code from an electronic key. When the user presents the key to the game controller, it relays the game ID to the game console. This electronic key may be read via RFID from a detachable faceplate for the controller. The game console utilizes the game ID to quickly find and launch the game from game storage. The game console itself may also be equipped with such an electronic input. The game storage can be built into the console, or on a server accessed through a home network or through the internet. Such use of an electronic key and detachable faceplate is extended to rapid and easy personalization, customization, and function enhancement of entertainment and other consumer electronics devices as well.

Claims

1. A method for operating a computing device, comprising:

detecting that a detachable faceplate associated with a user is attached to the computing device, the computing device having stored thereon a plurality of software applications, and the detachable faceplate comprising authorization information, an identification of a target software application, and information about the user;

authenticating the detachable faceplate based on the authorization information;

determining, based on the identification, that the target software application is one of the plurality of software applications stored on the computing device;

determining user preferences based on the information about the user; and

enabling the user preferences on the computing device and launching the target software application.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user preferences are associated with a video game.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the computing device comprises a video game controller and the detachable faceplate is attachable to the video game controller.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the determining user preferences comprises:

reading, via the video game controller, identification data from the detachable faceplate; and

communicating the identification data from the video game controller to a video game console for said enabling the user preferences.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the reading is accomplished using radio frequency identification (RFID) communication between the video game controller and the detachable faceplate.

6. An adapter device for a video game controller comprising:

electronic circuitry configured to read data from a detachable faceplate that attaches to the video game controller, the detachable faceplate being associated with an online gaming service, the data comprising recognition of a user and an identification of the online gaming service;

wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to access at least one function of the online gaming service based on the recognition of the user and the identification of the online gaming service; and

an interface configured to communicate the data to the video game controller through an auxiliary port on the video game controller.

7. The adapter of claim 6 wherein the electronic circuitry to read data from the detachable faceplate that attaches to the video game controller comprises an RFID reader, and the detachable faceplate comprises an RFID.

8. The adapter of claim 6 wherein the electronic circuitry to read data from the detachable faceplate that attaches to the video game controller comprises contact switches through which data is read from the detachable faceplate.

9. A system for modifying functionality of a computing device comprising:

means for detecting that a detachable faceplate associated with a user is attached to the computing device, the computing device having stored thereon a plurality of software applications, and the detachable faceplate comprising an an identification of a target software application and information about the user;

means for determining, based on the identification, that the target software application is one of the plurality of software applications stored on the computing device;

means for determining user preferences based on the information about the user; and

means for enabling the user preferences on the computing device and launching the target software application.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the user preferences are associated with a video game.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the detachable faceplate attaches to a video game controller of the computing device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means for determining user preferences comprises:

means for reading, via the video game controller, identification data from the detachable faceplate; and

means for communicating the identification data from the controller to a video game console for determining the user preferences.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for reading comprises means for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication between the controller and the detachable faceplate.

14. A video game controller system comprising:

a video game controller having a housing;

a detachable auxiliary device comprising an electronic key, the key having identification data stored thereon, the identification data comprising information about a user and information about an online gaming service;

an interface enabling electronic communication between the electronic key and the video game controller, the interface configured to ascertain the identification data;

means for communicating from the video game controller to a video game console the identification data stored on the electronic key;

means for determining the online gaming service from the identification data and communicating the information about the user to the online gaming service; and

means for accessing at least one function of the online gaming service based on the identification data.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the detachable auxiliary device is a faceplate for the video game controller and the communication between the electronic key and the video game controller is via RFID.