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.

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 first connector and the second connector are the same.  
   
   
       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 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 . A method, comprising: 
 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, 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, utilizing the verification information, that the game outcome was properly achieved by the player; and    providing, 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.