System and Method for Personality Adoption by Online Game Peripherals

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for personality adoption of online game peripherals interacting with an online game server having multiple online game states. Methods disclosed include techniques for associating a personality with a personality-adopting mobile game peripheral capable of holding a game state at least partially adopted from the game peripheral personality component (e.g. a faceplate, a shell, a key, etc). Additionally techniques are provided for uploading personality-imbued game state to the online game server; and for retrieving personality-imbued online game states to the first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral. Some embodiments involve multiple game peripheral personality components and corresponding personality-adopting mobile game peripherals in a peer-to-peer relationship. Peer-to-peer embodiments include techniques for associating a second personality, using a second game peripheral personality component, with a second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral. Also disclosed are techniques for receiving into the first game peripheral, a second personality from the second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral.

1 . A method for personality adoption of online game peripherals interacting with an online game server having multiple online game states comprising:
 associating a first personality, using a first game peripheral personality component, with a first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral holding a first game state at least partially adopted from the first game peripheral personality component;   uploading, from the first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral to the online game server, at least one bit from the first game state; and   retrieving from the online game server at least one bit for downloading to the first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral, wherein the at least one bit represents at least a portion of the multiple online game states.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 associating a second personality, using a second game peripheral personality component, with a second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral holding a second game state; and   retrieving from the second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral at least one bit for downloading to the first game peripheral, wherein the at least one bit represents at least a portion of the second game state.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating includes identification by a locking tab sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating includes identification via an optical pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating includes identification via an RFID tag. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating includes identification via a sequence of inputs. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uploading includes a connection to a personal computer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uploading includes a connection to a wireless router. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uploading is initiated spontaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating a first personality, using a first game peripheral personality component, with a first game peripheral results in at least one of, a visual alert, an audible alert. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uploading results in at least one of, a visual alert, an audible alert. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieving from the online game server at least one bit results in at least one of, a visual alert, an audible alert. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieving from the online game server includes at least one bit representing state retrieved from a social networking site. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating a first personality, using a first game peripheral personality component, with a first game peripheral includes actuating at least one of a plurality of movable components. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieving from the online game server at least one bit includes actuating at least one of a plurality of movable components. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating a first personality, using a first game peripheral personality component, with a first game peripheral includes actuating a mechanical unlocking. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieving from the online game server at least one bit includes actuating a mechanical unlocking 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein associating a first personality, using a first game peripheral personality component, with a first game peripheral includes actuating at least one light-sensitive component. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for personality adoption of online game peripherals interacting with an online game server having multiple online game states comprising:
 a first game peripheral personality component for associating a first personality with a first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral holding a first game state at least partially adopted from the first game peripheral personality component;   a component for uploading at least one bit from the first game state; and   a component for retrieving at least one bit for downloading to the first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral, wherein the at least one bit represents at least a portion of the multiple online game states.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a component for associating a second personality, using a second game peripheral personality component, with a second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral holding a second game state; and   a component for retrieving from the second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral at least one bit for downloading to the first game peripheral, wherein the at least one bit represents at least a portion of the second game state.