U.S. patent application number 12/645142 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for systems and methods for gaming dongles.
Invention is credited to Carson C. K. Fincham, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Jay S. Walker.
Application Number | 20100099500 12/645142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38924188 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100099500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Jay S. ; et
al. |
April 22, 2010 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GAMING DONGLES
Abstract
Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming
dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game
and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming
dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric
information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information.
Some gaming dongles may be removably coupled. Some gaming dongles
may have two or more portions that may be substantially
irreversibly separated, such as by snapping-off one portion from
the other.
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Hayashida; Jeffrey Y.; (San Francisco, CA)
; Sammon; Russell P.; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Fincham; Carson C. K.; (Ridgefield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Walker Digital Management, LLC
Two High Ridge Park
Stamford
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
38924188 |
Appl. No.: |
12/645142 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11776775 |
Jul 12, 2007 |
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12645142 |
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60807160 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
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60807150 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
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60807171 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
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60807133 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/205 20130101;
A63F 13/00 20130101; A63F 13/216 20140902; A63F 2300/208 20130101;
A63F 2300/206 20130101; A63F 13/95 20140902; A63F 13/98 20140902;
A63F 2300/201 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/44 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a first connector oriented to removably
couple to one or more of (i) a gaming device, and (ii) a gaming
input device; a first memory in communication with the first
connector, the first memory storing at least a portion of a game
program; a secure perimeter, comprising: a second memory in
communication with the first connector, the second memory storing
an indication of an amount of value, wherein some portion of the
amount of value is consumed by an execution of the game program;
and a second connector in communication with the second memory,
wherein the second connector is oriented to interface with a device
operable to replenish the amount of value.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device operable to replenish
the amount of value comprises a device different than the first
connector.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a
magnetic stripe reader.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a
wireless communication device.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first
connector and the second connector comprise a USB connector.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein both of the first connector and
the second connector comprise a USB connector.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first memory
and the second memory further stores instructions, that when
executed by a processor are operable to: determine, for a game
based on an execution of the game program, a gaming signature of a
player of the game.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein a determination of the player's
gaming signature is based on input received via an input device
operated by the player.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: the gaming device,
wherein the gaming device is in communication with one or more of
the first memory and the second memory via the first connector; and
the input device, wherein the input device is in communication with
the gaming device.
10. The system of claim 7, further comprising: the processor.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is disposed
within the secure perimeter.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a GPS device in
communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii)
the second connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second
memory.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the GPS device is disposed
within the secure perimeter.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the GPS device is operable to
prevent the game program from being executed based on positioning
information sensed by the GPS device.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the second memory further stores
an indication of a result of a game based on an execution of the
game program.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second memory further stores
an indication of a software version of the game program.
17. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a biometric device
physically integrated into a housing of the system and being in
communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii)
the second connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second
memory.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the biometric device is
operable to prevent the game program from being executed based on
biometric information sensed by the biometric device.
19. A system, comprising: a first dongle portion, comprising: a
first connector oriented to removably couple to a gaming device;
and a first memory in communication with the first connector, the
first memory storing a game program; and a second dongle portion,
comprising: a second connector oriented to removably couple to the
first dongle portion; and a secure perimeter, comprising: a second
memory in communication with the second connector, the second
memory storing an indication of an amount of value, wherein some
portion of the amount of value is consumed by an execution of the
game program.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the second connector comprises
a USB connector.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the second connector is further
oriented to interface with a device operable to replenish the
amount of value.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device operable to
replenish the amount of value comprises a POS terminal.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the first dongle portion and
the second dongle portion are coupled in a snap-off fashion such
that an application of force is operable to cause the first dongle
portion and the second dongle portion to separate.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the game program is not
operable to be executed in the case that the first dongle portion
and the second dongle portion are separated.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein the game program is not
operable to be executed for participation in an online gaming
tournament in the case that the first dongle portion and the second
dongle portion are separated.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein a separation of the first
dongle portion and the second dongle portion is a substantially
irreversible separation.
27. The system of claim 19, wherein both of the first connector and
the second connector comprise a USB connector.
28. The system of claim 19, wherein one or more of the first memory
and the second memory further stores instructions, that when
executed by a processor are operable to: determine, for a game
based on an execution of the game program, a gaming signature of a
player of the game.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein a determination of the player's
gaming signature is based on input received via an input device
operated by the player.
30. The system of claim 29, further comprising: the gaming device,
wherein the gaming device is in communication with one or more of
the first memory and the second memory via the first connector; and
the input device, wherein the input device is in communication with
the gaming device.
31. The system of claim 28, further comprising: the processor.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein the processor is disposed
within the secure perimeter.
33. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a GPS device in
communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii)
the second connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second
memory.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the GPS device is disposed
within the secure perimeter.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the GPS device is operable to
prevent the game program from being executed based on positioning
information sensed by the GPS device.
36. The system of claim 19, wherein the second memory further
stores an indication of a result of a game based on an execution of
the game program.
37. The system of claim 19, wherein the second memory further
stores an indication of a software version of the game program.
38. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a biometric device
in communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii)
the second connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second
memory.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein the biometric device is
operable to prevent the game program from being executed based on
biometric information sensed by the biometric device.
40. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory in
communication with the processor, the memory storing instructions
that when executed by the processor result in: receiving, in
connection with a play of a video game by a player, an indication
of a game play input provided by the player; determining, based on
the indication of the game play input and based upon a context of
the input, a game play input characteristic of the player;
determining, based at least in part on the game play input
characteristic of the player, a gaming signature representative of
the player; and utilizing the gaming signature representative of
the player to verify a game result submitted by the player.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises:
receiving an indication of the game result submitted by the player;
determining a gaming signature associated with the game result; and
comparing the gaming signature associated with the game result and
the gaming signature representative of the player.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the receiving, the determining
of the game play input characteristic, and the determining of the
gaming signature representative of the player are conducted by a
dongle removably coupled to a gaming device that executes the video
game.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the dongle comprises a memory
that stores a game program utilized by the gaming device to execute
the video game.
44. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing is conducted by a
dongle removably coupled to a gaming device that executes the video
game.
45. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises:
submitting the gaming signature representative of the player to a
central controller.
46. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises:
submitting, to a central controller, an encrypted indication of (i)
the gaming signature representative of the player and (ii) a result
of the video game.
47. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises:
submitting, to a central controller, an encrypted indication of (i)
the gaming signature representative of the player, (ii) a result of
the video game, and (iii) an indication of a version of software
utilized to execute the video game.
48. A method, comprising: conducting a video game, by a gaming
device, wherein the conducting comprises executing a game program
stored in a first memory of a dongle removably coupled to the
gaming device; receiving, via an input device of the gaming device,
indications of gaming input provided by a player of the video game;
determining, based on the gaming input provided by the player, a
gaming signature of the player; determining, by the gaming device,
an outcome of the video game; and storing the outcome of the video
game and an indication of the gaming signature of the player in a
second memory of the dongle.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the determining of the gaming
signature of the player, comprises: determining a specific input
that the player is attempting to provide; determining an actual
input provided by the player, wherein the actual input deviates
from the specific input that the player is attempting to provide;
and determining, based on the deviation of the actual and attempted
inputs, the gaming signature of the player.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein the second memory of the dongle
is disposed within a secure perimeter of the dongle.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the secure perimeter of the
dongle is removable from the dongle.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the secure perimeter of the
dongle is substantially irreversibly separable from the dongle.
53. A method, comprising: providing, to a player of a video game, a
two-piece dongle, wherein the first piece of the dongle stores a
game program operable to facilitate execution of the video game,
and wherein the second piece of the dongle comprises a memory
disposed within a secure perimeter; receiving, by a processing
device, from the player and after a play of the video game by the
player, the second piece of the dongle, wherein the memory of the
second piece of the dongle stores (i) an indication of an outcome
of the play of the video game and (ii) verification information;
verifying, by the processing device and utilizing the verification
information, that the game outcome was properly achieved by the
player; and providing, via the processing device and after the
verifying and based on the game outcome, a prize to the player.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the verifying, comprises:
requesting that the player provide a code that is caused to be
output by the first piece of the dongle; receiving an indication of
the code from the player; and comparing the code to the
verification information to verify that the second piece of the
dongle is related to the first piece of the dongle.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the verifying, comprises:
requesting that the player provide a code that is caused to be
output by the first piece of the dongle in response to input
provided by the player; receiving an indication of the code from
the player; and comparing the code to the verification information
to verify the identity of the player.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the input provided by the
player comprises biometric input provided via a biometric device of
the first piece of the dongle.
57. The method of claim 55, wherein the input provided by the
player comprises gaming signature input provided via a game
controller in communication with the first piece of the dongle.
58. The method of claim 53, wherein the verification information
comprises GPS data sensed by a GPS device of the second piece of
the dongle during the play of the video game by the player, and
wherein the verifying, comprises: determining that the play of the
video game occurred at an authorized location.
59. The method of claim 53, wherein the verification information
comprises GPS data sensed by a GPS device of the second piece of
the dongle during the play of the video game by the player, and
wherein the verifying, comprises: determining that the play of the
video game did not occur at an unauthorized location.
60. The method of claim 53, wherein the second piece of the dongle
is received after having been snapped-off from the first piece of
the dongle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/776,775 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
GAMING DONGLES" filed Jul. 12, 2007 which claims benefit and
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to:
[0002] (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,160
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING AUTHENTICATION OF
OUTCOMES" filed Jul. 12, 2006;
[0003] (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,150
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING REDEMPTION OF
AUTHENTICATED OUTCOMES" filed Jul. 12, 2006;
[0004] (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/807,171 entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING GAMING
COMPETITIONS" filed Jul. 12, 2006; and
[0005] (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,133
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING VERIFICATION OF
GAMING INPUTS" filed Jul. 12, 2006.
[0006] Each of the above applications is incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
[0007] The present application is also related to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/284,309 entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
AWARDING PRIZES BASED ON AUTHENTICATION OF COMPUTER GENERATED
OUTCOMES USING COUPONS" filed Nov. 21, 2005 and which issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 7,362,862 on Apr. 22, 2008, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/309,406 entitled "METHODS
AND APPARATUS FOR AWARDING PRIZES BASED ON AUTHENTICATION OF
COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES USING COUPONS" filed Dec. 3, 2002, now
abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/298,226 entitled "REMOTE-AUDITING OF
COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES, AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS
CONTROL, AND SOFTWARE METERING SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER
PROTOCOLS" filed Apr. 22, 1999, now abandoned, which is itself a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/677,544
entitled "REMOTE-AUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES,
AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL, AND SOFTWARE METERING
SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS" filed Aug. 8, 1996,
and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143 on Oct. 19, 1999, and
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/561,668 entitled "REMOTE AUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES
AND AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USING
CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS" filed Nov. 22, 1995, and which
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,382 on Jun. 16, 1998.
[0008] The entirety of each of these applications is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0009] Video games, online video games, and online video game
tournaments have become increasingly popular. While participation
in some of such games may require an initial investment (e.g.,
purchasing a game program) or be free of charge, much online
gaming, particularly for `premium` online games, requires payment
for participation, which is usually provided in the form of monthly
fees. Fee payment typically requires a player to maintain and/or
purchase an account with an online gaming provider. Such payment
methodologies may, however, not be advantageous in many
circumstances.
[0010] Further, even by paying these fees, the fairness of online
gaming or other gaming tournaments is not guaranteed. Online
gaming, for example, is subject to hacking and the use of `bots`,
while offline gaming tournaments are fraught with even more
uncertainty.
[0011] Accordingly, there exists a need for systems and methods
that address these and other problems found in existing gaming
technologies
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of
the attendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by
reference to the following detailed description when considered
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to some
embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming dongle according to
some embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle according
to some embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle according
to some embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are perspective diagrams of a gaming
dongle according to some embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are perspective diagrams of a gaming
dongle according to some embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a gaming dongle system according to
some embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method according to some
embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method according to some
embodiments; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method according to some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. Introduction
[0023] Applicants have recognized that, in some situations, it may
be advantageous to provide a gaming dongle that is capable of
storing a value and/or an amount of value that may be utilized to
gain access to and/or participate in video games and/or online
video games or tournaments. According to some embodiments, the
value may be replenished and/or recharged. In some embodiments, the
value may be stored in a secure and/or removable portion of a
gaming dongle. In some embodiments, the value may be stored in a
gaming dongle that also stores at least a portion of a game program
that is utilized to execute play of a particular video game.
[0024] Applicants have also recognized that it may be advantageous
to provide a gaming dongle that is operable to determine and/or
facilitate a determination of a gaming signature of a player. In
some embodiments, a gaming device may make such a determination
while an indication of the determined gaming signature may be
stored in one or more portions of the gaming dongle.
[0025] Applicants have also recognized that it may be advantageous
to provide a gaming dongle that is operable to facilitate
verification of video game results. A gaming dongle may, for
example, comprise: (i) a gaming signature recognition device to
capture gaming signature information of a player of a video game,
where the gaming signature information may be utilized to verify an
identity of the player of the video game; (ii) a biometric device
to capture biometric information that may be utilized to verify an
identity of a player of a video game; and/or (iii) a Global
Positioning System (GPS) device to capture location information
that may be utilized to verify a location where a video game result
is achieved.
[0026] Applicants have further recognized that implementation of
some embodiments may be advantageously effectuated by providing a
two-piece (and/or multiple piece) gaming dongle.
[0027] One portion of the gaming dongle may be utilized to execute
a video game program, for example, while another portion of the
gaming dongle may be utilized to securely store: (i) value and/or
an amount of value; (ii) player gaming signature data; (iii) player
biometric data; (iv) GPS data associated with the gaming dongle (or
portion thereof); and/or (v) encryption data. In some embodiments,
two or more portions of the gamin dongle may be removably coupled
and reversibly separable. In other words, the two or more portions
may be disconnected and reconnected as desired. In some
embodiments, two or more portions of the gaming dongle may be
removably coupled and substantially irreversible separated. In
other words, the two or more portions may be separated in a
substantially permanent manner, such as by snapping and/or pulling
them apart, severing a physical link between the portions, breaking
and/or twisting them apart, etc.
[0028] According to one or more embodiments, a system (e.g., a
gaming dongle) may comprise: (i) a first connector oriented to
removably couple to a gaming device; (ii) a first memory in
communication with the first connector; (iii) a secure perimeter,
comprising a second memory in communication with the first
connector, the second memory storing an indication of an amount of
value, wherein some portion of the amount of value is consumed by
an execution of a game program; and (iv) a second connector in
communication with the second memory, wherein the second connector
is oriented to interface with a device operable to replenish the
amount of value. In some embodiments, the first memory may store at
least a portion of the game program.
[0029] According to one or more embodiments, a system (e.g., a
gaming dongle) may comprise: (i) a first dongle portion,
comprising: (a) a first connector oriented to removably couple to a
gaming device; and (b) a first memory in communication with the
first connector, the first memory storing a game program; and (ii)
a second dongle portion, comprising: (c) a second connector
oriented to removably couple to the first dongle portion; and (d) a
secure perimeter, comprising a second memory in communication with
the second connector, the second memory storing an indication of an
amount of value, wherein some portion of the amount of value is
consumed by an execution of the game program.
[0030] In some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i) receiving,
in connection with a play of a video game by a player, an
indication of a game play input provided by the player; (ii)
determining, based on the indication of the game play input and
based upon a context of the input, a game play input characteristic
of the player; (iii) determining, based at least in part on the
game play input characteristic of the player, a gaming signature
representative of the player; and (iv) utilizing the gaming
signature representative of the player to verify a game result
submitted by the player.
[0031] According to some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i)
conducting a video game, by a gaming device, wherein the conducting
comprises executing a game program stored in a first memory of a
dongle removably coupled to the gaming device; (ii) receiving, via
an input device of the gaming device, indications of gaming input
provided by a player of the video game; (iii) determining, based on
the gaming input provided by the player, a gaming signature of the
player; (iv) determining, by the gaming device, an outcome of the
video game; and (v) storing the outcome of the video game and an
indication of the gaming signature of the player in a second memory
of the dongle.
[0032] In some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i) providing,
to a player of a video game, a two-piece dongle, wherein the first
piece of the dongle stores a game program operable to facilitate
execution of the video game, and wherein the second piece of the
dongle comprises a memory disposed within a secure perimeter; (ii)
receiving, from the player and after a play of the video game by
the player, the second piece of the dongle, wherein the memory of
the second piece of the dongle stores (a) an indication of an
outcome of the play of the video game and (b) verification
information; (iii) verifying, utilizing the verification
information, that the game outcome was properly achieved by the
player; and (iv) providing, after the verifying and based on the
game outcome, a prize to the player.
II. Terms and Definitions
[0033] Throughout the description that follows and unless otherwise
specified, the following terms may include and/or encompass the
example meanings provided in this section. These terms and
illustrative example meanings are provided to clarify the language
selected to describe embodiments both in the specification and in
the appended claims, and accordingly, are not intended to be
limiting.
[0034] Some embodiments described herein are associated with a
"gaming device". As used herein, the term "gaming device" may
generally refer to any device that is operable to execute or
facilitate the execution of a game program. Gaming devices may
comprise, for example, Personal Computer (PC) devices, laptop
and/or tablet computers, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices,
cellular or other wireless telephones (e.g., the Apple.RTM.
iPhone.TM.), video game consoles (e.g., Microsoft.RTM. Xbox 360.TM.
Sony.RTM. Playstation.RTM. 3, and/or Nintendo.RTM. Wii.TM.), and/or
handheld or portable video game devices (e.g., Nintendo.RTM. Game
Boy.RTM. or Nintendo.RTM. DS.TM.). Gaming devices may comprise
and/or interface with various components such as input and output
devices and gaming dongles (such as in accordance with embodiments
described herein).
[0035] Some embodiments described herein are associated with a
"dongle" or a "gaming dongle". As used herein, the terms "dongle"
and "gaming dongle" are used interchangeably and may generally
refer to any device that is operable to communicate with a gaming
device to facilitate execution of a video game program. Examples of
a dongle may include, but are not limited to, for example, a cable,
an adapter, a connector, a cartridge (e.g., a game cartridge), a
disk (e.g., a `floppy` disk, CD-ROM, DVD, mini-disk), a Static
Random Access Memory (SRAM) device or module, a solid-state memory
device, a flash memory device, a memory card device, and/or a
network communication path, connection, port, and/or cable. In some
embodiments, dongles may be coupled and/or removably coupled to a
gaming device or portion thereof to facilitate communications
therewith. A dongle may be coupled via a connector to a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) port of a gaming device, for example, and/or may
be coupled to a gamepad input device associated with the gaming
device (e.g., a wired and/or wireless gamepad device). In some
embodiments, the gaming device may be operable to execute a video
game program in the absence of a dongle, while in some embodiments
the dongle may be required to permit execution of the video game
program (e.g., similar to the more historic computing arts usage of
the term "dongle"). According to some embodiments, dongles may be
comprised of various parts, portions, segments, and/or pieces. Some
dongles, for example, may comprise multiple dongles coupled to
and/or in communication with each other. In some embodiments, as
described herein, dongle segments, portions, and/or pieces may be
substantially irreplaceably separated (e.g., snapped-off and/or
twisted apart). Some dongles may comprise one or more components
such as one or more: input devices, output devices, memory devices,
processing devices, biometric devices, GPS devices, and/or
encryption devices.
[0036] Some embodiments described herein are associated with an
"input device". As used herein, the term "input device" may
generally refer to any device that is used to receive or process
input. An input device may communicate with and/or be part of
another device (e.g., a gaming device and/or a gaming dongle). Some
examples of input devices include, but are not limited to: a game
controller and/or gamepad, a bar-code scanner, a magnetic stripe
reader, a computer keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a computer
mouse, touchpad, and/or trackball), a point-of-sale terminal
keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor, a sonic
ranger, a computer port, a video camera, a motion detector, a
digital camera, a network card, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,
a GPS receiver, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) receiver, a
RF receiver, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, and a weight scale
or mass balance.
[0037] Some embodiments described herein are associated with an
"output device". As used herein, the term "output device" may
generally refer to a device that is used to output information. An
output device may communicate with and/or be part of another device
(e.g., a gaming device and/or a gaming dongle). Possible output
devices may include, but are not limited to: a Cathode Ray Tube
(CRT) monitor, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, a Light
Emitting Diode (LED) screen, a printer, an audio speaker, an
Infra-red Radiation (IR) transmitter, an RF transmitter, and/or a
data port.
[0038] Some embodiments herein are associated with "communication".
As used herein, the term "communication" may refer to any
information, data, and/or signal that is provided, transmitted,
received, and/or otherwise processed by an entity, and/or that is
shared or exchanged between two or more people, devices, and/or
other entities.
[0039] As used herein, the terms "information" and "data" may be
used interchangeably and may refer to any data, text, voice, video,
image, message, bit, packet, pulse, tone, waveform, and/or other
type or configuration of signal and/or information. Information may
be or include information packets transmitted, for example, in
accordance with the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) standard as
defined by "Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) Specification" RFC
1883, published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF),
Network Working Group, S. Deering et al. (December 1995).
Information may, according to some embodiments, be compressed,
encrypted, and/or otherwise packaged or manipulated in accordance
with any method that is or becomes known or practicable.
[0040] Some embodiments described herein are associated with a
"communication session". As used herein, the phrase "communication
session" may refer to any instance and/or occurrence of a receipt,
transmittal, exchange, and/or sharing of information associated
with the communication between two or more parties and/or entities.
A communication session may include, for example, an e-mail
transmittal, receipt, and/or exchange, an Instant Messaging (IM)
session, a voice call (e.g., over a Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN), a cellular network, or Voice over IP (VoIP)), a
file upload, download, and/or exchange, a receipt and/or
transmittal of broadcast media, and/or any combination thereof.
Communication sessions may include continuous, periodic,
intermittent, and/or any other frequency of communication that is
or becomes known or practicable.
[0041] Some embodiments described herein are associated with a
"communication link". As used herein, the phrase "communication
link" may refer to any connection, wire, port, device, and/or
signal and/or any transmission, exchange, repeating, and/or other
flow of information or data that is associated with the
establishing, maintaining, facilitation, and/or other management
and/or participation in a communication session. In some
embodiments, a communication link may involve a "handshake",
multiplexing and/or de-multiplexing of signals, encryption and/or
decryption of data, data validation, data conversion, and/or
implementation of one or more compression, transmission, and/or
communication protocols.
III. Systems and Apparatus
[0042] A. Introduction
[0043] Generally, a gaming dongle for use with the some embodiments
may comprise a device that is capable of: (i) determining,
recording, and/or storing value for use in playing video games;
(ii) determining, recording, and/or storing a gaming signature of a
player for use in verifying game results; (iii) determining,
recording, and/or storing biometric data of a player for use in
verifying game results; and/or (iv) determining, recording, and/or
storing GPS data for use in verifying game results. In some
embodiments, the gaming dongle may comprise a plurality of
separable and/or substantially irreversibly separable portions.
[0044] Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100
according to some embodiments is shown. The system 100 may
comprise, for example, a gaming device 102 in communication with an
input device 104 and an output device 106. In some embodiments, the
gaming device 102 may be in communication with and/or coupled to a
gaming dongle 110. Any or all of the components 102, 104, 106, 110
of the system 100 may communicate via any means that is or becomes
known or practicable. The components 102, 104, 106, 110 of the
system 100 may, for example, communicate via one or more wired
and/or wireless connections. In some embodiments, more than one
type of communication connection and/or means may be utilized. Some
components 102, 104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may communicate via
one or more types of hard-wired connections, for example, while
other components 102, 104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may
communicate utilizing one or more wireless communication
protocols.
[0045] In some embodiments, the gaming device 102 may comprise a
PC, laptop, PDA, gaming console, handheld gaming device, and/or
wireless or cellular telephone. The input and output devices may
comprise any type and/or configuration of input and output devices
that are or become known or practicable. The gaming device 102 may,
for example, comprise a gaming console such as a Nintendo.RTM.
Wii.TM., the input device 104 may comprise a Wii.TM. Nunchuck
Controller connected (wired and/or wirelessly) to the gaming device
102, and the output device 106 may comprise a TV or other monitor.
In some embodiments, the input device 104 and/or the output device
106 may comprise a plurality of devices, components, and/or
portions. The input device 102 may, for example, comprise a Wii.TM.
Nunchuck Controller as well as a Wii.TM. Remote, while the output
device 106 may comprise a DVD player, TV tuner or receiver, set-top
box, TV, and/or other components coupled to output game
information.
[0046] According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 110 may
comprise a device that is physically and/or communicatively coupled
to the gaming device 102 to facilitate execution of a game program.
The gaming dongle 110 may, for example, store value, at least a
portion of which is consumed by execution of the game program by
the gaming device 102. The value may, according to some
embodiments, comprise credits, credit, stored cash value, tokens,
and/or an amount of other consumable utilized by the game program.
The value may, for example, comprise a number of balls, hits,
swings, ammunition, hit points, energy, and/or time that may be
utilized by a player of a game associated with execution of the
game program. The gaming dongle 110 may also or alternatively (i)
store and/or determine a gaming signature of a player, (ii) store
and/or determine biometric data of a player, and/or (iii) store
and/or determine GPS data associated with the gaming dongle 110
(and/or with the gaming device 102).
[0047] The game program may be stored, according to some
embodiments, by the gaming device 102 (e.g., such as in the case
that the gaming device 102 is intended to only be operable to play
a limited number of games, or in the case that the gaming device is
a PC-like device upon which game programs are loaded as desired),
by a separate game disk and/or cartridge (e.g., a `floppy` disk or
a game console cartridge), and/or by the gaming dongle 110. In some
embodiments, the game program may be stored, at least partially, in
a plurality of locations. In a client-server configuration, for
example, the gaming device 102 may store a `front-end` and/or a
minimal portion of the game program, for example, while the
remainder of the game program may be stored on a separate disk,
server, and/or device (e.g., on the gaming dongle 110). According
to some embodiments, a portion of the game program may be stored on
the gaming dongle 110. In some embodiments, the entire game program
may be stored on the gaming dongle 110.
[0048] B. Gaming Dongle
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a gaming dongle
210 according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments,
the gaming dongle 210 may be similar in configuration and/or
functionality to the gaming dongle 110 of FIG. 1. The gaming dongle
210 may comprise, for example, a casing 212 (which may include a
first portion 212a and a second portion 212b) enclosing and/or
housing one or more of a first connector 214, a second connector
216, a joining connector 218 (which may include a first joining
connector 218a and a second joining connector 218b), a first memory
220 storing a game program 222, and/or a second memory 230 storing
one or more of (i) a value 232, (ii) gaming signature data 234,
(iii) biometric data 236, and/or (iv) GPS data 238. The gaming
dongle 210 may also or alternatively, comprise an encryption module
240, a processor 244, a biometric device 246, and/or a GPS device
248. According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may be
configured to perform and/or facilitate processes in accordance
with embodiments described herein. The gaming dongle 210 may, for
example, be utilized to store value 232 utilized to play a game
associated with execution of the game program 222 and/or to store
gaming signature data 234, biometric data 236, and/or GPS data 238
to utilize in verification of game and/or tournament results.
[0050] In some embodiments, the casing 212 may be constructed of
any suitable material such as plastic, resin, rubber, metal, or any
combinations thereof. The casing 212 may, for example, comprise an
injection-molded plastic housing similar to those utilized for
common USB memory sticks, thumb drives, and/or micro-drive storage
devices. In some embodiments, the casing 212 may comprise a
plurality of portions, such as the first portion 212a and the
second portion 212b shown in FIG. 2. According to some embodiments,
the first and second portions 212a-b may be separable. In some
embodiments, the first and second portions 212a-b may be reengaged
and/or reversibly separable. In the case that the first and second
portions 212a-b are coupled via the joining connectors 218a-b, and
the joining connectors 218a-b are configured as USB or other
male-female couplings, the first and second portions 212a-b may be
engaged and/or coupled and disengaged and/or de-coupled as desired
(e.g., by engaging and disengaging the first and second joining
connectors 218a-b, respectively). In the case that the first and
second portions 212a-b are coupled via a substantially irreversibly
separable link (e.g., one or more thin pieces of plastic; the
joining connectors 218a-b), once the first and second portions
212a-b are de-coupled and/or separated (e.g., torn apart),
reattachment and/or re-coupling becomes substantially impractical.
A substantially irreversible separation may, in some embodiments,
comprise a separation of a type such that an adhesive and/or other
bonding agent or fastening device would be required to re-couple
the first and second portions 212a-b of the casing 212. These
various configurations of the casing 212 and/or the plurality of
portions 212a-b thereof may be advantageously utilized to implement
various methods as described herein.
[0051] The connectors 214, 216, 218 described herein may generally
comprise any type and/or configuration of connectors that are or
become known or practicable. As used herein the term "connector"
may generally refer to male, female, and/or a combination of male
and female connector types. The connectors 214, 216, 218 may
include, for example, one or more pins and/or other protruding
electrical contacts (a male connector) or one or more pin and/or
electrical contact receptors, indentations, and/or holes (a female
connector); none of which are explicitly shown in FIG. 2. According
to some embodiments, the connectors 214, 216, 218 may comprise, for
example, one or more electro-mechanical connectors that provide
both physical and electrical coupling, such as connectors
constructed in compliance with and/or to permit transmission of
signals in accordance with (i) the USB interface standard as
described in the USB Specification Revision 2.0 (2000), (ii) the
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface standard as
defined by the PCI Special Interest Group (SIG) in "PCI Local Bus
Specification Revision 2.2" (Dec. 18, 1998), (iii) the PCI Express
interface standard such as that defined by the PCI Express Base
Specification 1.0a, 1394 such as that defined by IEEE 1394B-2002
Standard for Niger Performance Serial-Bus Amendment 2 (2002),
and/or (iv) the Category 5-e (Cat5e) Cabling standard as described
by the American Standards Institute/Telecommunications Industry
Association/Electronic Industries Alliance (ANSI/TIA/EIA) 568-A-5
addendum (February 2000). According to some embodiments, the
layout, spacing, arrangement, and/or any other electrical contact
associated with the connectors 214, 216, 218 may be determined
based on the specifications of the signal and/or signals desired
for transmission through the connectors 214, 216, 218. For example,
one or more pins or other contacts of the connectors 214, 216, 218
may be arranged in accordance with the transmission requirements
defined in one or more of the specifications for the signals listed
above.
[0052] The first connector 214, for example, may comprise a male
USB connector operable to be inserted into a female USB
port/receptacle of a gaming device (such as the gaming device 102
of FIG. 1) and operable to transmit signals in accordance with the
USB 2.0 standard between the gaming device and the gaming dongle
210. In some embodiments, the second connector 216 and/or the
joining connectors 218 may also or alternatively comprise USB
connectors. In some embodiments, one or more of the connectors 214,
216, 218 may comprise wireless transmission and/or communication
devices such as a transceiver operable to send and receive signals
in accordance with (i) the "Information
Technology--Telecommunications And Information Exchange Between
Systems--Local And Metropolitan Area Networks" standard
802.11b-1999.RTM. published by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE), (ii) the Wireless LAN (WLAN)
transmission standard 802.11b/g-1999/2003.RTM. published by the
IEEE, and/or (iii) the WLAN standard 802.11h-2003 published by the
IEEE. The second connector 216 may comprise a wireless receiver
operable to wirelessly receive indications pertaining to
replenishing the value 232, for example. In some embodiments, the
joining connectors 218a-b may also or alternatively comprise one or
more wireless transceivers operable to exchange information between
the first and second portions 212a-b of the casing 212. In such an
embodiment, physical coupling between the first and second portions
212a-b of the casing 212, if desired, may be accomplished via one
or more magnetic and/or ferrous portions (not explicitly shown in
FIG. 2) of the first and second portions 212a-b.
[0053] In some embodiments, such as in the case that the first and
second portions 212a-b of the casing 212 are operable to be
snapped-off, pulled or twisted apart, and/or otherwise
substantially irreversibly separated, the joining connectors 218a-b
may also be substantially irreversibly separated, or even
substantially disabled or destroyed. The joining connectors 218a-b
may simply comprise one or more electrical traces, for example,
that are severed upon a disjoining of the first and second portions
212a-b of the casing 212. According to some embodiments, the
joining connectors 218a-b may be designed specifically to become
permanently disabled upon a disjoining of the first and second
portions 212a-b of the casing 212.
[0054] The first memory 220 and the second memory 230 may,
according to some embodiments, comprise any type and/or
configuration of data storage devices that are or become known or
practicable. The memories 220, 230 may, for example, include any
appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor
memory, including, but not limited to one of, or any combination
of: (i) RAM; (ii) Dynamic RAM (DRAM); (iii) embedded DRAM (eDRAM);
(iv) Static RAM (SRAM); (v) ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM); (vi)
magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM); (vii) phase-change RAM (PRAM); (viii)
resistive RAM (RRAM); (ix) Nano-RAM (NRAM); (x) zero-capacitor RAM
(Z-RAM); (xi) twin-transistor RAM (TTRAM); (xii) Read-Only Memory
(ROM); (xiii) programmable ROM (PROM) or field-programmable ROM
(FPROM); (xiv) electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM); (xv) flash
memory; and/or (xvi)
Semiconductor-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Semiconductor (SONOS). In some
embodiments, the memories 220, 230 may include one or more embedded
processors, communication ports, CD devices, and/or hard disks. In
some embodiments, the memories 220, 230 may comprise a single
memory and/or memory device, disposed within either the first
portion 212a or the second portion 212b of the casing 212. In some
embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may only comprise a single
memory device such as the memory 230 (e.g., the first memory 220
may not be required and/or desirable in some embodiments). In the
case that the game program 222 is stored in or on a device other
than the gaming dongle 210 (such as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1
and/or a separate game disk or cartridge), for example, the first
memory 220 either may not be included in the gaming dongle 210, or
the first memory 220 may be included, but may not store any portion
of the game program 222. The first memory 220 may, according to
some embodiments for example, simply comprise a flash memory
operable to store information (either related to or nor related to
the game program 222), similar to a standard USB memory stick
device. In some embodiments, the first memory 220 may store any
portion of the game program 222. The first memory 220 may, for
example, store substantially the entire game program 222 or may
store a fractional portion of the game program 222. According to
some embodiments, the game program 222 or a portion thereof may
also or alternatively be stored in the second memory 230 (although
such an embodiment is not explicitly shown in FIG. 2).
[0055] In some embodiments, the second memory 230 may store the
value 232, gaming signature data 234, biometric data 236, and/or
GPS data 238. The second memory 230 may, for example, store the
value 232 which may be utilized and or consumed by the game program
222 to execute a play session of a game. In some embodiments, the
value 232 may be replenished, recharged, and/or otherwise altered
(even depleted if desired), such as in the case that the second
memory 230 receives one or more signals via the second connector
216. The second memory 230 may also or alternatively store gaming
signature data 234. In the case that a player's gaming signature is
determined (such as by the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1 and/or by
the processor 244), for example, data indicative of the gaming
signature may be stored in the second memory 230. In some
embodiments, such data 234 may comprise data utilized to determine
a gaming signature of a player. The second memory 230 may also or
alternatively store either or both of biometric data 236 and GPS
data 238. The biometric data 236 may be provided by the biometric
device 246, for example, while the GPS 238 data may be provided by
the GPS device 248. In some embodiments, any or all of the gaming
signature data 234, the biometric data 236, and/or the GPS data 238
may be utilized to verify and/or facilitate verification of game
results associated with an execution of the game program 222. Some
or all of the data 232, 234, 236, 238 stored by the second memory
230 may also or alternatively be stored in the first memory 220
(although such an embodiment is not explicitly shown in FIG.
2).
[0056] In some embodiments, a single combined memory (e.g.,
comprising a combination of the first and second memories 220, 230;
not explicitly shown in FIG. 2) and/or the second memory 330 may
reside within a secure perimeter 250. The secure perimeter 250 may
generally comprise any structure, code (including microcode),
firmware, and/or device that is operable to prevent, hinder,
thwart, and/or allow identification of tampering with the gaming
dongle 210 (and/or the second portion 212b of the casing 212 or the
secure perimeter 250). Examples of various implementations of a
secure perimeter are described at length in U.S. Pat. No.
5,970,143, such concepts and description of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
[0057] In some embodiments, the secure perimeter 250 may be
configured to protect the value 232. In the case that the value 232
is associated with cash value, for example, it may be desirable to
ensure that the value 232 is not compromised (e.g., to prevent
fraud, undue enrichment, and the like). Similarly, in the case that
one or more of the gaming signature data 234, the biometric data
236, and/or the GPS data 238 are utilized to verify game results
(particularly in the case where the game results may qualify a
player for a prize of value), such data may be stored within and/or
be otherwise protected by the secure perimeter 250. According to
some embodiments, such as in the case that the encryption module
240 (which may include encryption and/or decryption capabilities)
is included in the gaming dongle 210 to encrypt and/or encode any
of the data 232, 234, 236, 238 stored in the secure perimeter 250,
the encryption module 240 may itself be protected by and/or
included within the secure perimeter 250 (e.g., as shown in FIG.
2), to further protect and/or secure any encryption data and/or
algorithms that may be utilized by the encryption module 240. The
encryption module 240 may itself comprise any type and/or
configuration of encryption, decryption, encoding, and/or decoding
device, code, and/or firmware that is or becomes known or
practicable. Examples of the encryption module 240 are described in
more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143, such concepts and
description of which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
[0058] In some embodiments, the secure perimeter 250 may include
other or alternative components of the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., the
secure perimeter 250 may be configured other than shown in FIG. 2).
The secure perimeter 250 may, for example, also or alternatively
protect the first memory 220 and/or the game program 222 (or any
portions thereof). In some embodiments, the secure perimeter 250
may be substantially disposed within and/or comprise the second
portion 212b of the casing 212 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). Such a
configuration may (particularly in embodiments where the second
portion 212b of the casing 212 is substantially irreversibly
separable from the first portion 212a), for example, facilitate
and/or ease manufacturing, facilitate and/or ease separation of the
first and second portions 212a-b of the casing 212, and/or reduce
costs associated with the first portion 212a of the casing 212 of
the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., since the first portion 212a may not
require the secure perimeter 250, the first portion 212a may be
less expensive to manufacture, produce, and/or distribute).
[0059] According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may
comprise various components utilized to receive, sense, gather,
procure, process, and/or otherwise determine any of the data 232,
234, 236, 238 stored within the second memory 230. In embodiments
where gaming signature data 234 is stored in the gaming dongle 210,
for example, the processor 244 may be utilized to determine and/or
process such data 234. In some embodiments, based on various inputs
and/or actions associated with a player's play of a gaming session
(e.g., made possible by execution of the game program 222) the
processor 244 may compute and/or otherwise determine a gaming
signature of the player, and may provide the gaming signature data
234 to the second memory 230 as an indication of the determined
gaming signature. According to some embodiments, the processor 244
may make such determinations by executing instructions stored in a
memory (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2), such as either or both of
the first and second memories 220, 230. In some embodiments, the
processor 244 may be entirely or partially disposed within a gaming
device (such as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1) and/or within a
peripheral device (not shown in either of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). The
determination of the player's gaming signature and/or of the gaming
signature data 234, for example, may be accomplished by a gaming
device in communication with the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., via the
first connector 214).
[0060] According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may
also or alternatively comprise the biometric device 246, which may
be or include any type and/or configuration of biometric device
that is or becomes known or practicable. The biometric device 246
may, for example, comprise an optical and/or ultrasonic fingerprint
and/or thumbprint reader or scanner and/or a processing device to
create a biometric template of a fingerprint/thumbprint scan. In
some embodiments, the biometric device 246 may be associated with
and/or comprise the processor 244. The processor 244 may be
operable to process scans received from the biometric device 246,
for example, such as by executing one or more pattern-based and/or
minutia-based algorithms (e.g., that may be stored in either or
both of the memories 220, 230). In some embodiments, the processor
244 may itself be considered a "biometric device", at least because
the determination of gaming signatures may be considered a
determination of a "behavioral biometric".
[0061] According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may
also or alternatively comprise the GPS device 248, which may be or
include any type and/or configuration of location determination
and/or GPS device that is or becomes known or practicable. The GPS
device 248 may generally, for example, comprise a GPS receiver
operable to determine a location associated with the gaming dongle
210. The term "GPS" is utilized herein for exemplary purposes to
describe any type and/or configuration of location determination
means. A GPS device in accordance with embodiments herein may, for
example, comprise any type of Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) device such as a GPS device, a European Union Galileo
positioning system device, a Russian Global Navigation Satellite
System (GLONASS) device, a Chinese Beidou Satellite Navigation and
Position System device, a French Doppler Orbitography and
Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) device, and/or an
Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) device, a
Decca Navigation System device, a Long Range Navigation (LORAN)
System device, an Alpha (RSDN-20) and/or Omega Navigation System
device, an enhanced 911 (E911) cellular service device, a Personal
Locator Beacon (PLB) device, one or more signal triangulation
devices, and/or any combination thereof.
[0062] In embodiments where the game program 222 is stored by the
gaming dongle 210 and/or executed by a gaming device utilizing the
gaming dongle 210, a determination, by the GPS device 248 of a
location of the gaming dongle 210 may be representative of a
location where the game program 222 is executed (e.g., and where a
game played in response thereto is therefore played). In some
embodiments, GPS data 238 may be determined by the GPS device 248
and then utilized, for example, to determine if a play of the game
occurred at an acceptable location. Game results, particularly for
tournaments and/or online tournaments, for example, may not be
valid if the game is played on school grounds (e.g., during school
hours), outside of a particular area and/or jurisdiction, and/or in
one or more other unauthorized areas (e.g., in too close a
proximity to other game players).
[0063] Although FIG. 2 illustrates communication paths and/or
connections between various components of the gaming dongle 210,
any orientation and/or configuration of communication paths that is
or becomes desirable and/or practicable may be implemented in the
gaming dongle 210 without deviating from the embodiments described
herein. While the encryption module 240 is shown in direct
communication only with the second memory 230, for example, the
encryption module 240 may instead (or also) be in direct or
indirect communication with any of the first memory 220, the
processor 244, the biometric device 246, the GPS device 248, and/or
the first and second connectors 214, 216. The encryption module 240
may, for example, encrypt and/or encode (i) gaming signature data
234 output by the processor 244, (ii) biometric data 236 output by
the biometric device 246, and/or (iii) GPS data 238 output by the
GPS device 248. Fewer or more components that are shown in FIG. 2
may also or alternatively be incorporated into the gaming dongle
210.
[0064] Turning now to FIG. 3, a perspective diagram of a gaming
dongle 310 according to some embodiments is shown. In some
embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may be similar in configuration
and/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles 110, 210 of FIG.
1 and/or FIG. 2 herein. The gaming dongle 310 may comprise, for
example, a casing 312 enclosing and/or housing a first connector
314, a second connector 316, and/or a biometric device 346.
According to some embodiments, the components 312, 314, 316, 346 of
the gaming dongle 310 may be similar in configuration and/or
functionality to the similarly named and/or numbered components
described in reference to FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 herein. The gaming
dongle 310 may be configured, for example, to perform and/or
facilitate processes in accordance with embodiments described
herein.
[0065] As shown for exemplary purposes in FIG. 3, the gaming dongle
310 may be associated with a particular game and/or type of game.
As shown, for example, the gaming dongle 310 may comprise a "golf"
dongle. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may store a game
program (such as the game program 222 of FIG. 2) that is operable
to be executed (e.g., by a gaming device such as the gaming device
102 of FIG. 1) to allow play of a golf video game. In such
embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may substantially replace a game
disk, CD, DVD, and/or cartridge that gaming consoles and/or PC
devices have historically utilized to execute video games. The
gaming dongle 310 may, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, comprise a
USB-type first connector 314 that may engaged with a USB-receptor
and/or connector of a gaming device to allow the gaming device to
access and execute the game program (e.g., to execute the golf
video game).
[0066] In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may also or
alternatively store value (such as the value 232 of FIG. 2). The
value may generally comprise generic or general value, such as cash
equivalent (e.g., a number of cents and/or dollars) and/or a number
of tokens, tickets, or credits. The value may also or alternatively
comprise game-specific value such as a number of golf balls, a
number of strokes, a number or type of golf clubs, a number of
holes or courses, etc. According to some embodiments, the value may
be replenished, recharged, loaded, and/or otherwise modified (e.g.,
depleted or removed) via one or more signals transmitted via the
second connector 316. The second connector 316 may, as shown in
FIG. 3 for example, be configured as a female connector receptor
that is operable to receive a connector (not shown) from another
device (also not shown). In such a manner, for example, the other
device may send signals to the gaming dongle 310 and/or directly
into a memory or secure perimeter (such as the memories 220, 230
and/or the secure perimeter 250 of FIG. 2; none of which are shown
explicitly in FIG. 3) of the gaming dongle 310 to alter the value
stored therein. In some embodiments, the second connector 316 may
be configured as a proprietary connector such that only authorized
devices, such as a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device or other device
operated by a commercial entity, may interface with the gaming
dongle 310 to alter the value.
[0067] According to some embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 3), the
gaming dongle 310 may comprise a biometric device 346. The
biometric device 346 may, for example, comprise a fingerprint
scanner that is operable to gather information from a player's
finger swiped over the biometric device 346. In some embodiments,
the biometric device 346 may interface with various components
within the gaming dongle 310 to secure, encrypt, decrypt, and/or
allow access to information stored within the gaming dongle 310. In
some embodiments, the biometric device 346 may be utilized to allow
execution of the golf video game program. In other words, the golf
video game may only execute for certain players that are authorized
to play the game. Such players may, for example, be registered as
authorized at a time and/or place of purchase of the gaming dongle
310, or may be registered pursuant to a setup routine executed the
first time the gaming dongle 310 is interfaced with (e.g., inserted
into a port of) a gaming device. According to some embodiments, the
biometric device 346 may be utilized to capture player biometric
data that is then stored and later utilized to verify that a player
attempting to submit and/or certify game results (e.g., a low
scoring golf game result) is the same player that achieved the game
results.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective diagram of a gaming
dongle 410 according to some embodiments is shown. In some
embodiments, the gaming dongle 410 may be similar in configuration
and/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310 of
FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/or FIG. 3 herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the
gaming dongle 410 may comprise a two-piece dongle (e.g., as opposed
to the one-piece dongle 310 shown in FIG. 3). The gaming dongle 410
may comprise, for example, a casing 412 that comprises a first
portion 412a and one of a plurality of second portions 412b-1,
412b-2. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 4, the first
portion 412a may comprise a first connector 414 (e.g., for
connecting to a gaming device) and a first joining connector 418a.
The second portions 412b-1, 412b-2 may, according to some
embodiments, be removably coupled to the first portion 412a (and/or
the first joining connector 418a thereof) via second joining
connectors 418b-1, 418b-2. As shown in FIG. 4, any or all of the
first connector 414 and the joining connectors 418b-1, 418b-2 may
comprise USB-type male and/or female electromechanically
connectors. As described herein, any other and/or alternative form
of connector may be utilized without deviating from the scope of
embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, different
connector types may be utilized for any or all of the connectors
414, 416, 418a, 418b-1, 418b-2. According to some embodiments, the
components 412, 412b-1, 412b-2, 414, 418a, 418b-1, 418b-2 of the
gaming dongle 410 may be similar in configuration and/or
functionality to the similarly named and/or numbered components
described in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/or FIG. 3 herein. The
gaming dongle 410 may be configured, for example, to perform and/or
facilitate processes in accordance with embodiments described
herein.
[0069] For example, the first portion 412a of the gaming dongle 410
may store a game program operable to facilitate execution of a golf
video game (continuing the example from FIG. 3), such as by
coupling the first connector 414 to a port of a gaming device (such
as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, play of
the golf video game may be achieved by utilizing the first portion
412a of the gaming dongle 410 in conjunction with a gaming device.
According to some embodiments, however, the "bucket of balls"
second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 may store a value
that is required to execute play of the golf video game. As
indicated by the name assigned to the "bucket of balls" second
portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410, for example, the "bucket
of balls" second portion 412b-1 may store an indication
representing a number of golf balls.
[0070] In some embodiments, the golf video game may be executed in
the absence of the "bucket of balls" second portion 412b-1, but the
player of the golf game may, in such a case, not have any balls to
hit, and may effectively therefore, not be able to play the golf
video game. Upon a coupling of the "bucket of balls" second portion
412b-1 to the first portion 412a (e.g., utilizing the first joining
connector 418a and the "bucket of balls" joining connector 418b-1),
the player may be provided with a number of golf balls to play with
in the golf video game, and may therefore be able to effectively
participate in and play the golf video game. In some embodiments,
the "bucket of balls" second portion 412b-1 may alternatively be
coupled between the gaming device and the first portion 412a of the
gaming dongle 410. The "bucket of balls" joining connector 418b-1
may couple to the gaming device, for example, and the first
connector 414 may couple to a joining connector disposed on the
opposing end of the "bucket of balls" second portion 412b-1 (not
shown; e.g., that may be configured similar to the first joining
connector 418a). According to some embodiments, other dongle
portions such as the "Masters" second portion 412b-2 may also be
coupled to the first portion 412a, such as via a coupling of the
first joining connector 418a and the "Masters" second joining
connector 418b-2. In such a manner, for example, multiple dongle
portions 412a, 412b-1, 412b-2 may be coupled and/or utilized in a
chain configuration.
[0071] In some embodiments, the value (e.g., the number of golf
balls) may be consumed, at some rate, by execution of the golf
video game program. Every time the player loses a golf ball by
hitting it off the golf course, for example, a golf ball may be
deducted from the value stored in the "bucket of balls" second
portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410. At some point, the
value/number of golf balls may be depleted via play of the golf
video game. According to some embodiments, the value stored in the
"bucket of balls" second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410
may then be replenished, such as by taking the "bucket of balls"
second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 to a retailer and
paying to have more golf balls added to the stored value. Adding,
replenishing, and/or storing value may generally be accomplished at
any time, and in some embodiments, is not limited to the case when
the value becomes entirely depleted. A player may, for example, add
twenty (20) golf balls to the "bucket of balls" second portion
412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 when an original value of one
hundred (100) golf balls is not yet depleted, or has only been
depleted by ten (10) balls. Although the value stored in the
"bucket of balls" second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 is
described and shown as being a game-specific value (e.g., a number
of golf balls), the value may also or alternatively comprise a
generic cash and/or other value, such as a number of credits. In
such a manner, for example, the "bucket of balls" second portion
412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 could be utilized to provide value
for play of a variety of games (e.g., be operable to interface with
a plurality of different first portions 412a), and presumably would
be labeled differently in such embodiments (e.g., the "bucket of
balls" second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 may instead
be labeled "gaming credits").
[0072] In some embodiments, the golf video game may be entirely
executed without requiring a connection to any second portion
412b-1, 412b-2. The first portion 412a may substantially function,
for example, as a game `stick`. A second portion 412b-1, 412b-2 may
be required in such embodiments, however, for a player to
participate in a tournament associated with the golf game. In some
embodiments, for example, the "Masters" second portion 412b-2 may
be coupled to the first portion 412a (e.g., utilizing the first
joining connector 418a and the "Masters" joining connector 418b-2),
to allow a player to play the golf video game in tournament mode.
In other words, the "Masters" second portion 412b-2 may store
information (e.g., a value) that permits the game program to be
executed in a different mode and/or the "Masters" second portion
412b-2 may simply allow golf video game result information to be
stored in a verifiable manner so that the player may enter such
results into a tournament. The "Masters" second portion 412b-2 may,
for example, be configured to store golf video game results as well
as various verification information as described herein, such as
gaming signature data, biometric data, and/or GPS data. According
to some embodiments, the "Masters" second portion 412b-2 may then,
for example, be turned into a gaming authority and/or taken to a
retail or other establishment (such as a gaming tournament kiosk)
to provide the verifiable game results (and other stored info) and
thereby enter the "Masters" tournament. In some embodiments, such a
tournament entry second portion 412b-2 may be limited to a number
of uses, such as a single use.
[0073] Turning to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, for example, perspective
diagrams of a gaming dongle 510 according to some embodiments are
shown. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 510 may be similar in
configuration and/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles
110, 210, 310, 410 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4 herein.
As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the gaming dongle 510 may comprise
a two-piece dongle that is configured to be substantially
irreversible separable (e.g., as opposed to the two-piece dongle
410 shown in FIG. 4 that is reversibly separable). The gaming
dongle 510 may comprise, for example, a first casing portion 512a
and a second casing portion 512b. In some embodiments, such as
shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the first portion 512a may comprise a
first connector 514 (e.g., for connecting to a gaming device) and
the first and second portions 512a, 512b may be removably coupled
via a joining connector 518. According to some embodiments, the
components 512a, 512b, 514, 518 of the gaming dongle 510 may be
similar in configuration and/or functionality to the similarly
named and/or numbered components described in reference to FIG. 1,
FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4 herein.
[0074] The joining connector 518 may, according to some
embodiments, comprise a thin connecting strip of plastic that is
operable, upon introduction of a stress, such as a bending stress
applied as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5A, to snap, tear, and/or
break, such that the first casing portion 512a and the second
casing portion 512b become separated. In some embodiments, at least
because the joining connector 518 may snap, tear, and/or break upon
introduction of an appropriately applied stress, upon separation,
the joining connector 518 may become substantially unusable, at
least with respect to coupling or re-coupling the first and second
casing portions 512a, 512b. According to some embodiments, the
joining connector 518 may comprise one or more perforations,
indentations, and/or other features (none of which are explicitly
shown by FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B) configured to facilitate separation of
the first and second casing portions 512a, 512b. In some
embodiments, the joining connector 518 may also or alternatively be
configured to be severed, such as by utilization of a utility knife
or pair of scissors (e.g., the plastic and/or other material bridge
between the first and second casing portions 512a, 512b may be
designed to be thicker to help prevent unintended separations).
According to some embodiments, the shapes of the first and second
casing portions 512a, 512b may also or alternatively be beveled
(e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) to facilitate application
of a bending stress as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5A.
[0075] In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 510 may be utilized
to play a game (such as a golf video game, continuing the example
from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) and a result of the game may be stored in a
memory within the second casing portion 512b. The second casing
portion 512b may comprise, for example, a secure perimeter. The
second casing portion 512b may also store verification information
such as gaming signature data, biometric data, GPS data, and/or
other data or codes that may be utilized to verify the stored game
results. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143, for example, a
hash value and/or other information utilized to verify either or
both of the game result and the game program may be stored. Such
concepts and descriptions of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein. In some embodiments, such information may be
stored in the second casing portion 512b while it remains attached
to the first casing portion 512a (such as shown in FIG. 5A). This
may, for example, comprise a configuration of the gaming dongle 510
as purchased by a game player and/or other consumer.
[0076] In some embodiments, the second casing portion 512b may be
separated and/or severed from the first casing portion 512a (such
as shown in FIG. 5B). Once a game result (or plurality or set of
game results) is stored in the second casing portion 512b, for
example, the second casing portion 512b may be redeemed for entry
into a tournament, sweepstakes, and/or other competition. For game
results to qualify a player for a prize, for example, the second
casing portion 512b may have to be returned and/or provided to an
entity such as an entity associated with a particular tournament
and/or game. The second casing portion 512b may be mailed to and/or
handed-in in person to a retail store and/or collection facility,
for example, such that the player's game results (and any attendant
verification information) may be provided to the entity running the
tournament (e.g., the "golf tourney"). In some embodiments, once
the second casing portion 512b is separated and/or severed from the
first casing portion 512a, the gaming dongle 510 may not again be
usable for tournament play. A player may purchase the gaming dongle
510 as a game `stick`, for example that comes with a one-shot or
single attempt tournament feature. According to some embodiments,
the golf video game may continue to be played even after separation
of the second casing portion 512b.
[0077] Turning to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, perspective diagrams of a
gaming dongle 610 according to some embodiments are shown. In some
embodiments, the gaming dongle 610 may be similar in configuration
and/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310,
410, 510 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and/or FIG. 5B
herein. As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the gaming dongle 610 may
comprise a two-piece dongle that is configured to be substantially
irreversible separable (e.g., similar to the two-piece dongle 510
shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). The gaming dongle 610 may comprise,
for example, a first casing portion 612a and a second casing
portion 612b. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 6A and
FIG. 6B, the first portion 612a may comprise a first connector 614
(e.g., for connecting to a gaming device) and the first and second
portions 612a, 612b may be removably coupled via a joining
connector 618. According to some embodiments, the components 612a,
612b, 614, 618 of the gaming dongle 610 may be similar in
configuration and/or functionality to the similarly named and/or
numbered components described in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.
3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and/or FIG. 5B herein.
[0078] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate an exemplary gaming dongle
610 that is ergonomically configured for ease of separation of the
first and second casing portions 612a, 612b. While the gaming
dongle 510 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is illustrated as being
configured to accept a bending force operable to separate the first
and second casing portions 512a, 512b, for example, the second
casing portion 612b of the gaming dongle 610 of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B
is illustrated as being configured to facilitate application of a
rotational and/or torsion force that may cause separation of the
first and second casing portions 612a, 612b. The second casing
portion 612b may be rotated or twisted in accordance with the
arrows shown in FIG. 6A, for example, to apply a torsion and/or
rotational force (e.g., a rotational and/or torsion shear force)
that is operable to snap, tear, and/or break the joining connector
618 (e.g., which may comprise a breakable adhesive coupling,
fastener, and/or material bridge). In some embodiments not shown
explicitly in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B, the rotational de-coupling of the
first and second casing portions 612a, 612b may be advantageously
implemented as a reversible separation by having the joining
connector 618 comprise a threaded connector that may be screwed and
un-screwed as desired. In such embodiments, the joining connector
618 may also form an electrical coupling, such as in the case that
the threaded connector is made of conductive materials such as
metal (or otherwise comprise one or more electrical traces or
contacts).
[0079] As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the gaming dongle 610 may
be associated with a game other than golf, such as "football". In
such embodiments, the second casing portion 612b may be
complimentarily associated with a "football" related event such as
a "super bowl". This may represent, for example, a "super bowl"
tournament that may be entered into by a player of the "football"
game (e.g., by playing the game to store results and/or
verification data the second casing portion 612b, and then
twisting-off the second casing portion 612b, as shown in FIG. 6B,
for redemption). In some embodiments, the second "super bowl"
casing portion 612b may include data unique to the tournament. The
second "super bowl" casing portion 612b may store, for example, one
or more game parameter values, special capabilities, graphics
(logos, scenery, playing fields, jersey graphics, etc.), sounds,
etc., that the standard "football" game may not otherwise include.
Such an embodiment may be particularly advantageous in the case
that the first and second casing portions 612a, 612b are reversibly
separable. In such an embodiments, for example, a player may
purchase, rent, or borrow different second casing portions 612b
that each allow the player to access different maps, fields,
levels, capabilities, etc., within the game play as executed in
accordance with the game program associated with the first casing
portion 612a.
[0080] C. Gaming Dongle System
[0081] Turning to FIG. 7, a diagram of a gaming dongle system 700
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
gaming dongle system 700 may comprise a gaming device 702, an input
device 704, a display device 706, a telephone device 708, and/or a
gaming dongle 710. The gaming dongle 710 may comprise, for example,
a first connector 714, a first casing portion 712a, and/or a second
casing portion 712b. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 710 may
be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any of the
gaming dongles 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.
3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A, and/or FIG. 6B herein. In
some embodiments, the gaming dongle system 700 may also or
alternatively comprise a gaming authority device 760.
[0082] The gaming dongle 710 may, in some embodiments, be coupled
to the gaming device 702 to execute a game program (e.g., to play a
sports, racing, first-person shooter, strategy, and/or other video
game). As described herein, the gaming dongle 710 may store the
game program or a portion thereof (e.g., in the first casing
portion 712a), or may otherwise interface with the gaming device
702 (e.g., the gaming dongle 710 may simply be utilized to store
and/or verify game results). The input device 704 (illustrated as a
gamepad controller in FIG. 7) may be utilized by a player to play a
game in accordance with the execution of the game program and the
display device 706 may generally be utilized by the gaming device
702 to provide game output to the player (e.g., graphics and/or
sound). Other configurations of the gaming device 702, the input
device 704, and the display device 706, are contemplated in some
embodiments. Fewer or more components may, for example, be utilized
to execute the game program and/or to facilitate play of the game
in accordance therewith.
[0083] In some embodiments, once a player of the game achieves a
result and/or set of results by playing the game, such results
and/or indications thereof may be stored on the gaming dongle 710.
According to some embodiments, the results and/or indications may
be stored in the second casing portion 712b, which may, for
example, comprise a secure perimeter. In accordance with the arrow
labeled "A" in FIG. 7, the player may separate the second casing
portion 712b from the first casing portion 712b of the gaming
dongle 710. The separation may, for example, comprise unplugging
the second casing portion 712b from the first casing portion 712a,
or may comprise snapping off, breaking off, tearing off, and/or
otherwise severing the second casing portion 712b from the first
casing portion 712a.
[0084] In accordance with the arrow labeled "B" in FIG. 7, the
second casing portion 712b may then be provided to a gaming
authority and/or gaming authority device 760. The player may mail
the second casing portion 712b to the gaming authority and/or
gaming authority device 760, for example, or may bring the second
casing portion 712b to a retail and/or other facility associated
with the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760. While
only the second casing portion 712b is illustrated as being
delivered and/or provide to the gaming authority and/or gaming
authority device 760 in FIG. 7, some embodiments contemplate
providing the entire gaming dongle 710 (e.g., such as in the case
that the gaming dongle 710 comprises a single-piece dongle).
[0085] In some embodiments, the gaming authority and/or gaming
authority device 760 may comprise a POS terminal at a retail store,
for example, and/or may comprise a kiosk configured to receive
(and/or communicate with) the second casing portion 712b. According
to some embodiments, the second casing portion 712b may then be
queried by the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760.
This may occur at a facility associated with the gaming authority
and/or gaming authority device 760, for example, and/or may occur
in the presence of the player (e.g., while the player waits). In
some embodiments, the querying may be a simple electronic polling,
interrogation, scanning, and/or communication. The second casing
portion 712b may be coupled to the gaming authority and/or gaming
authority device 760, for example, such as directly via a port or
connection (e.g., via the second connector 216, 316 of either FIG.
2 and/or FIG. 3) and/or indirectly via a wireless communication
(such as via a wireless LAN standard and/or via various inductive
interrogation techniques). In some embodiments, the querying may be
initiated to verify one or more of (i) the game result(s), (ii) an
identity of the player (e.g., via physical and/or behavioral
biometrics), (iii) a location at which the results were achieved
(e.g., via GPS data), and/or (iv) a version and/or integrity of the
game program.
[0086] In some embodiments, the verification may comprise receiving
a code 770 from the player, the code 770 indicating that the second
casing portion 712b provided by the player is associated with the
first casing portion 712a (e.g., that the player presumably
utilized, such as in the case that it stores a portion of the game
program, to achieve the result(s)). According to some embodiments,
the first casing portion 712a and/or components therein may cause
such a code 770 to be output to the player, such as by displaying
the code 770 via the display device 706 (as shown in FIG. 7). In
some embodiments, the code 770 may simply be emblazoned, etched,
and/or otherwise indicated by the first portion of the casing 712a
itself. In some embodiments, the code 770 may be revealed by the
separation of the first and second casing portions 712a, 712b. The
code 770 may, for example, by indicated on a portion of either of
the first or second casing portions 712a, 712b that is covered
and/or otherwise inaccessible until the first and second casing
portions 712a, 712b are separated.
[0087] The player may then utilize the telephone device 708, in
accordance with the arrow labeled "C" in FIG. 7 for example, to
provide the code 770 (e.g., via the arrow labeled "D" in FIG. 7) to
the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760. According
to some embodiments, the code 770 may be utilized by the gaming
authority and/or gaming authority device 760 to verify the
relationship between the second casing portion 712b and the first
casing portion 712a. In some embodiments, the code 770 may be
utilized to verify that the gaming device 702 is the same gaming
device that was utilized by the player to achieve the game
result(s). Prior to the second casing portion 712b being separated
from the first casing portion 712a and/or from the gaming device
702, for example, the second casing portion 712b may store and/or
encrypt a code associated with the gaming device 702. The code
stored and/or encrypted by the second casing portion 712b may then,
for example, be compared to the code 770 provided by the gaming
device 702 to the player, to verify an equivalence there between.
In some embodiments, upon successful verification of any desired
metrics related to the game result(s), a prize 780, such as cash
and/or cash-equivalent awards, may be provided to the player. In
some embodiments, such a prize 780 may be provided to the player by
the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760 (e.g., in
accordance with the arrow labeled "E" in FIG. 7). In some
embodiments, the prize 780 may also or alternatively be provided by
a third-party and/or third party device (not shown).
[0088] According to some embodiments, the gaming authority and/or
gaming authority device 760 may query and/or prompt the player for
the code 770. This may be performed via telephone and/or via the
gaming device 702. In the case that the gaming device 702 is in
communication with a network such as the Internet, for example, the
gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760 may query the
gaming device 702 directly to determine the code 770, and/or may
prompt the player, via the gaming device 702, to provide the code
770. In some embodiments, any or all of the components 702, 704,
706, 708, 710 may be located within a home 790 and/or other
location or building associated with the player. In some
embodiments, any GPS data associated with the game play may be
required, as a prerequisite for obtaining the prize 780, to
correspond to the home 790 of the player.
IV. Processes
[0089] Various embodiments will now be described with references to
methods associated with some embodiments. The methods described
herein may generally be performed by one or more of the systems
100, 700 and/or any of the many components and devices described
herein. Other configurations of systems and devices may also or
alternatively be utilized to perform the methods described herein
without deviating from the scope of some embodiments.
[0090] Turning to FIG. 8, for example, a flow diagram of a method
800 according to some embodiments is shown. The method 800 may
generally comprise, for example, a method for determining a
behavioral biometric, such as a gaming signature, of a player. In
some embodiments, the method 800 (or portions thereof), and all
other processes described herein unless expressly specified
otherwise, may be performed, for example, by a gaming device 102,
702, a gaming dongle 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, a gaming
authority device 760, and/or any combination thereof. Additionally,
while some of the procedures of a process or method may be
performed by a first device, other steps may be performed by
another device and/or a combination of devices. Further, the method
800, and all other processes described herein unless expressly
specified otherwise, may include procedures in addition to those
expressly depicted in the figures or described in the specification
without departing from the spirit and scope of some embodiments.
Similarly, the procedures of the method 800 and any other process
described herein, unless expressly specified otherwise, may be
performed in an order other than depicted in the figures or
described in the specification, as is practicable and/or
appropriate.
[0091] In some embodiments, the method 800 may comprise receiving,
in connection with a play of a video game by a player, an
indication of a game play input provided by the player. A player
may utilize, for example, an input device (such as the input
devices 104, 704 of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 7) to interact with a game
program (e.g., the game program 222 of FIG. 2) to play a video
game, at 802. In some embodiments, the indication of the input may
comprise an indication of a particular button pushed by the player,
a timing of providing of the input by the player, an angle
associated with a directional input provided by the player, a force
associated with a providing of the input by the player, etc. Such
information may, according to some embodiments, be stored in a
memory, such as a memory of a gaming dongle as described
herein.
[0092] The method 800 may, according to some embodiments, comprise
determining, based on the indication of the game play input and
based upon a context of the input, a game play input characteristic
of the player, at 804. A context of the player's input within the
game may, for example, be determined and/or recorded. In the case
that a player provides a certain directional input in response to
an in-game danger appearing on a display device, for example, the
direction and/or timing of the player's directional input may be
recorded along with an indication that the input was provided in
apparent response to the display of a particular game element
(e.g., the danger). Apparent response may generally be determined
by timing metrics. In the case that a specific event occurs within
the game, for example, a player input received substantially
immediately thereafter (e.g., in a small amount of time thereafter)
may be considered to be in response to the event. The timing
threshold utilized to determine apparent response may vary between
game types and/or game speeds (e.g., even within a particular
game). For slow-paced strategy games or for other games where
events are currently occurring at a slow pace, the next input
provided by a player after an event may be considered to be in
response to the event, even if the input is provided many seconds
or more after the event. In high-action, fast-paced games or game
segments, however, the player input may have to occur within
seconds or fractions of a second after an event to be considered an
apparent response to the event.
[0093] In some embodiments, apparent response may be otherwise
determined. In the case that a player input is provided in special
relation to particular elements on a display of the game, for
example, the input may be considered to be an apparent response to
and/or associated with elements that overlap with and/or are
proximate to a location designated by the input. In the case that a
player's goal is to shoot items on the display screen, for example,
an input that designated a display pixel in common with a specific
item may be considered to be associated with the item. Location
thresholds and/or scatter regression or probability analysis may
also or alternatively be utilized to determine a relation between
the input and a game feature. In the case that a player shoots
several times but never hits any item in the game, for example, an
item that is closest to one or more of the shot inputs may be
considered related. Similarly, any pattern formed by the shots may
be analyzed to determine an item that was the likely target of the
player. A center of mass, centriod, and/or mean or median point may
be determined for a set of input data, for example, to approximate
an item targeted and therefore apparently associated with the
player's inputs.
[0094] According to some embodiments, the method 800 may comprise
determining, based at least in part on the game play input
characteristic of the player, a gaming signature representative of
the player, at 806. A relationship between the player's inputs
and/or types of inputs in response to various game events and/or
elements may, for example, be determined. A player may, for
example, tend to move an in-game character or device in a certain
direction when a particular event occurs within the game (such as a
reaction of the player that causes the player to move away from an
in-game danger in a particular manner). As another example, an
analysis of the player's inputs and related game characteristics
may reveal that the player tends to (e.g., is more likely than not
to and/or is very likely to) press a particular button when a
particular shape or element is shown on the display screen. In such
a manner, for example, unique or pseudo-unique characteristics,
which may be considered behavioral biometrics, may be determined
for a player. Such characteristics are generally referred to herein
as a "gaming signature". In general, the more data (e.g., inputs
and/or relations between inputs and game characteristics) that is
captured and/or analyzed for a player, the more accurate and/or
unique a player's gaming signature may become. Accordingly, it may
be desirable in some embodiments, such as in the case that the
gaming signature may be utilized to verify game results (e.g., for
a tournament), to require and/or cause the player to play a
plurality of sessions (e.g., the player must progress through
several levels) prior to considering the gaming signature to be
determined.
[0095] The method 800 may also or alternatively comprise utilizing
the gaming signature representative of the player to verify a game
result submitted by the player, at 808. An indication of the gaming
signature (e.g., the gaming signature data 234 of FIG. 2) may, for
example, be stored in a gaming dongle for use in verifying that the
player attempting to register and/or certify a game result (or
plurality of results) is the same player that achieved the
result(s). A player may provide a gaming dongle storing an
indication of a game result (e.g., a high score in a bowling video
game) in order to enter or qualify for a tournament, for example.
In some embodiments, such as in the case that a gaming signature is
already associated with the player and/or an identifier of the
player (e.g., the player is a registered or known player that has
previously had a gaming signature determined or assigned), any
indication of a gaming signature associated with play of the game
that resulted in the stored result(s) may be compared to the
pre-existing gaming signature to determine a probability of whether
the same player achieved the result(s). If the probability is high
or there is an exact match between the gaming signatures, the
result(s) may be determined to be valid (e.g., the result may be
determined to have been appropriately obtained by the same player
attempting to enter the tournament and/or certify the result(s)).
In the case that the probability is not high or there is no match
between the gaming signatures, the result(s) may be determined to
be invalid or secondary or other metrics (e.g., physical biometrics
and/or GPS) may be utilized to attempt to further verify validity
or invalidity of the result(s).
[0096] According to some embodiments, such as in the case that no
preexisting gaming signature is on file for the player, the player
may be required to provide a number of inputs in an attempt to
match the gaming signature stored on the dongle. A gaming signature
test or simulation may be conducted at a POS terminal and/or
utilizing a test gaming device at a location at which the player is
attempting to enter the tournament or certify the result(s), for
example. In some embodiments, the player may be required to play a
predetermined amount of the same game that the player is attempting
to certify results for, for gaming signature comparison purposes
(e.g., the player need not reproduce the high score of the previous
gaming result).
[0097] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of a method 900
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
method 900 may be related to the method 800 of FIG. 8. The method
900 may, for example, comprise processes that are a continuation of
and/or are supplemental to those of the method 800 of FIG. 8.
[0098] According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise
conducting a video game, by a gaming device, wherein the conducting
comprises executing a game program stored in a first memory of a
dongle removably coupled to the gaming device, at 902. As described
herein, for example, a gaming dongle may comprise a game `stick`
that is effectively utilized in place of a game disk, CD, CD-ROM,
and/or cartridge. Players may utilize a plurality of such gaming
dongles, for example, to play a plurality of different games on a
gaming device. In some embodiments, a single gaming dongle may
store a plurality of game programs (e.g., such that different games
may be selected and played utilizing a single gaming dongle). Also
as described herein, in some embodiments the gaming dongle may only
store a portion of the game program, such that another portion of
the game program may be stored by the gaming device and/or by
another removable medium.
[0099] In some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise receiving,
via an input device of the gaming device, indications of gaming
input provided by a player of the video game, at 904. A player may
utilize, as described herein for example, an input device such as a
game controller (e.g., a gamepad, a `nunchuck`, and/or a remote
control), keyboard, pointing device, joystick, etc., to provide
input to a gaming device (and/or to the gaming dongle, such as in
the case that the gaming dongle is coupled to the gaming device via
the input device). The input may comprise game-play input such as
moves, selections, and/or other game play actions. The input may
also or alternatively comprise general gaming device inputs such as
menu selections, configuration settings, preference settings, test
and/or calibration procedures, etc. In some embodiments, all such
inputs or a sampling (such as a random sampling) of such inputs may
be recorded by the gaming dongle (e.g., to determine and/or
facilitate determination of a gaming signature associated with the
player).
[0100] According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise
determining, based on the gaming input provided by the player, a
gaming signature of the player, at 906. As described with respect
to the method 800 of FIG. 8, for example, one or more of the gaming
device, the gaming dongle, and/or a separate peripheral device may
utilize the input provided by the player to determine and/or
compute a gaming signature associated with the player. According to
some embodiments, player inputs may be compared to expected player
inputs to determine deviations from what is expected. In the case
that a player is prompted or expected to click on a particular
point or spot, for example, a deviation from the point or spot
actually selected by the player may be recorded and/or utilized to
determine the gaming signature. A player may routinely provide
inputs that are within a certain range of distance, timing, and/or
angular/directional variations from expected inputs, for example,
and such deviations may therefore provide a good approximation of
how the player's inputs may be identified as being associated with
the player.
[0101] In some embodiments, such as in the case that any algorithms
utilized to determine a player's gaming signature may be desirable
to keep secret (e.g., to prevent tampering), such algorithms and/or
any processor that participates in the determination may be stored
within a secure perimeter. The algorithms may be stored in volatile
memory, for example, and may be automatically erased upon any
efforts to tamper with and/or access the algorithms and/or secure
processor.
[0102] In some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise
determining, by the gaming device, an outcome of the video game, at
908. The outcome may comprise, for example, a final score and/or
achievement obtained by the player, or may also or alternatively
comprise some intermediate or final score, achievement, statistic,
or other parameter. In some embodiments, the outcome may comprise a
game result as described herein. According to some embodiments, the
specific outcome or type of outcome may be determined by the gaming
device, by the gaming dongle, by a peripheral device, and/or by a
server (such as a Web server). While scores represent a typical
outcome that is utilized to compare player's achievements and/or to
judge results of a competition or tournament, in some embodiments
one or more other or additional outcomes may be utilized. In some
embodiments, the selected type of outcome may be based on some
central determination that is not made known to the player. A Web
server in communication with the gaming device may, upon conclusion
of a game play (and/or upon some intermediate level, stage, or
occurrence) for example, select a type of outcome to be utilized in
determining a winner of a tournament. Players of the tournament may
be unaware of which type of outcome or achievement may win the
tournament, in advance of playing the game. In some embodiments,
the gaming dongle may make such a determination. Different classes
of gaming dongle may be sold with coded instructions to select a
particular outcome type for a tournament, for example, and players
may not know which class of dongle was purchased. According to some
embodiments, the determination of the type of outcome may be random
(e.g., the gaming device, the gaming dongle, a peripheral device,
and/or a server may randomly determine which type(s) of outcome(s)
are of interest).
[0103] According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise
storing the outcome of the video game and an indication of the
gaming signature of the player in a second memory of the dongle, at
910. In some embodiments, the second memory may be disposed within
a secure perimeter of the gaming dongle, as described herein. Upon
achievement of the outcome and/or upon a determination of which
type(s) of outcome(s) to stored, for example, a signal may be
transmitted to the gaming dongle that causes the gaming dongle to
store an indication of the outcome(s). The gaming dongle and/or the
stored indication may then, for example, be utilized to enter
and/or win a tournament or other competition. The gaming signature
of the player may, in some embodiments, be utilized to verify that
the player attempting to enter or win the tournament (or otherwise
certify the outcome) is likely to be the same player that achieved
the outcome(s). In some embodiments, however, such as in the case
that symmetry of player identities is not desired or required, the
gaming signature data and/or gaming signature verification may not
be necessary in the method 900.
[0104] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of a method 1000
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
method 1000 may be related to any of the methods 800, 900 of FIG. 8
and/or FIG. 9. The method 1000 may, for example, comprise processes
that are a continuation of and/or are supplemental to those of the
methods 800, 900 of FIG. 8 and/or FIG. 9.
[0105] According to some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise
providing, to a player of a video game, a two-piece dongle, wherein
the first piece of the dongle stores a game program operable to
facilitate execution of the video game, and wherein the second
piece of the dongle comprises a memory disposed within a secure
perimeter, at 1002.
[0106] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise receiving,
from the player and after a play of the video game by the player,
the second piece of the dongle, wherein the memory of the second
piece of the dongle stores (i) an indication of an outcome of the
play of the video game and (ii) verification information, at
1004.
[0107] According to some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise
verifying, utilizing the verification information, that the game
outcome was properly achieved by the player, at 1006.
[0108] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise providing,
after the verifying and based on the game outcome, a prize to the
player, at 1008.
[0109] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may also or
alternatively comprise other procedures. The method 1000 may
comprise, for example, one or more of: (i) requesting that the
player provide a code that is caused to be output by the first
piece of the dongle; (ii) receiving an indication of the code from
the player; and/or (iii) comparing the code to the verification
information to (a) verify that the second piece of the dongle is
related to the first piece of the dongle, and/or (b) verify the
identity of the player.
V. Rules of Interpretation
[0110] Numerous embodiments are described in this patent
application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The
described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting
in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely
applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the
disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,
software, and electrical modifications. Although particular
features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it
should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in
the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference
to which they are described, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0111] The present disclosure is neither a literal description of
all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the
invention that must be present in all embodiments.
[0112] Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first
page of this patent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the
end of this patent application) is to be taken as limiting in any
way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s).
[0113] The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or
composition of matter as contemplated by 35 U.S.C. .sctn.101,
unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0114] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the
embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some
embodiments", "one embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but
not all) disclosed embodiments", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0115] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an
embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is
mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment
described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0116] The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof
mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0117] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0118] The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0119] The term "herein" means "in the present application,
including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0120] The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a
plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means
any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly
specified otherwise. For example, the phrase at least one of a
widget, a car and a wheel means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car,
(iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel,
(vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
[0121] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless
expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based
on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on".
[0122] The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause
or other set of words that express only the intended result,
objective or consequence of something that is previously and
explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a
claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies
do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or
otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.
[0123] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a
feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation
such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more
than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the
first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to
refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply
that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does
not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature
(e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one
widget).
[0124] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or
otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all
references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent
antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term `process` or a
like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a `step` or
`steps` of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.
[0125] When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third"
and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal
number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to
indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that
particular feature from another feature that is described by the
same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may
be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget".
Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second"
before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship
between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other
characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere
usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term
"widget" (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or
after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that
either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and
(3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any
other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of
ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features
identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of
the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget"
does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.
[0126] When a single device or article is described herein, more
than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate) may
alternatively be used in place of the single device or article that
is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as
being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more
than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate).
[0127] Similarly, where more than one device or article is
described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device
or article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one
device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of
computer-based devices may be substituted with a single
computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that
is described as being possessed by more than one device or article
may alternatively be possessed by a single device or article.
[0128] The functionality and/or the features of a single device
that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more
other devices that are described but are not explicitly described
as having such functionality and/or features. Thus, other
embodiments need not include the described device itself, but
rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in
those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.
[0129] Devices that are in communication with each other need not
be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly
specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only
transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually
refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a
machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may
not transmit data to the other machine for weeks at a time. In
addition, devices that are in communication with each other may
communicate directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries.
[0130] A description of an embodiment with several components or
features does not imply that all or even any of such components
and/or features are required. On the contrary, a variety of
optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of
possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise
specified explicitly, no component and/or feature is essential or
required.
[0131] Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may
be described in a sequential order, such processes may be
configured to work in different orders. In other words, any
sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does
not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed
in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be
performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be
performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as
occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described
after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by
its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated
process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto,
does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are
necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated
process is preferred.
[0132] Although a process may be described as including a plurality
of steps, that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps
are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the
scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that
omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified
explicitly, no step is essential or required.
[0133] Although a product may be described as including a plurality
of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features,
that does not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or
required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the
described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all
of the described plurality.
[0134] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be
numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually
exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an
enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does
not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any
category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the
enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that
any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive
and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list
are comprehensive of any category.
[0135] Headings of sections provided in this patent application and
the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and
are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0136] "Determining" something can be performed in a variety of
manners and therefore the term "determining" (and like terms)
includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a
table, database or data structure), ascertaining and the like.
[0137] It will be readily apparent that the various methods and
algorithms described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,
appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computing
devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors)
will receive instructions from a memory or like device, and execute
those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes
defined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement
such methods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a
variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of
manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom
hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, software
instructions for implementation of the processes of various
embodiments. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific
combination of hardware and software.
[0138] A "processor" means any one or more microprocessors, CPU
devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal
processors, or like devices.
[0139] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium
that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may
be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium
may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile
media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media
include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other
persistent memory. Volatile media include DRAM, which typically
constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial
cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that
comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media
may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and
electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during RF and IR
data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media
include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,
magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium
with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM,
any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described
hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can
read.
[0140] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example,
sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a
processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium,
and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats,
standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth.TM., TDMA, CDMA, 3G.
[0141] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database
structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii)
other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented
herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of
information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed
besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or
elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases
represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that the number and content of the entries can
be different from those described herein. Further, despite any
depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including
relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed
databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types
described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a
database can be used to implement various processes, such as the
described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known
manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses
data in such a database.
[0142] The present invention can be configured to work in a network
environment including a computer that is in communication, via a
communications network, with one or more devices. The computer may
communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via a wired or
wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token
Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of
communications means. Each of the devices may comprise computers,
such as those based on the Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. or Centrino.TM.
processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any
number and type of machines may be in communication with the
computer.
[0143] The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in
the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or
inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be
claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed
in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of
priority of the present application. Applicants intend to file
additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that
has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present
application.
* * * * *