Gaming device

Abstract

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting movement of a cover of the device with respect to a body of the device, and determining, in response to detecting movement of the cover, that the device is ready for use. If the device is ready for use, a signal is transmitted to a computing device, and the computing device is directed to perform an initializing procedure for a gaming engine executing on the computing device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions; and   a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising:   receiving a signal generated by a gaming accessory; and   responsive to the signal:
 performing an initializing procedure for a gaming engine executed by the processor, wherein the initializing procedure comprises determining initial settings; and 
 performing a search procedure, wherein the search procedure comprises querying availability of another device for playing a game, 
   wherein the gaming accessory has a body and a cover, and wherein the gaming accessory generates the signal responsive to detecting removal of the cover from a first position proximate to a top side of the body and subsequent placement of the cover in a second position proximate to a bottom side of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming engine comprises an accessory management software (AMS) application, and wherein the signal indicates that the gaming accessory is ready for use and that a user of the gaming accessory wishes to invoke the AMS application. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the gaming accessory comprises a sensor for determining whether the gaming accessory is ready for use. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a switch that is actuated in accordance with the subsequent placement of the cover in the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled with a gaming server via a network, and wherein the operations further comprise accessing the gaming server to facilitate playing the game. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the initial settings comprise default settings for the gaming engine. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the initial settings comprise a user profile accessible to the gaming engine. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming accessory is integral to the device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface for wireless communications with the gaming accessory. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-readable storage device communicatively coupled to a gaming accessory, the computer-readable storage device comprising instructions, which responsive to being executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a signal generated by the gaming accessory; and   responsive to the signal:
 performing an initializing procedure for a gaming engine executed by the processor, wherein the gaming engine comprises an accessory management software (AMS) application, and wherein the initializing procedure comprises determining initial settings; and 
 performing a search procedure, wherein the search procedure comprises querying availability of another device for playing a game, 
   wherein the gaming accessory has a body and a cover, and wherein the gaming accessory generates the signal responsive to detecting one of a removal of the cover from a first position proximate to a top side of the body, a subsequent placement of the cover in a second position proximate to a bottom side of the body, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the signal indicates that the gaming accessory is ready for use. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled with a gaming server via a network, and wherein the operations further comprise accessing the gaming server to facilitate playing the game. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the initial settings comprise default settings for the gaming engine. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the initial settings comprise a user profile accessible to the gaming engine. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor communicates with the gaming accessory via a wireless communications interface. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a device comprising a processor, a signal generated by a gaming accessory, wherein the signal indicates that the gaming accessory is ready for use; and   responsive to the signal:
 performing, by the device, an initializing procedure for a gaming engine executed by the processor, wherein the initializing procedure comprises determining initial settings; and 
 performing, by the device, a search procedure, wherein the search procedure comprises querying availability of another device for playing a game, 
   wherein the gaming accessory has a body and a cover, and wherein the gaming accessory generates the signal responsive to detecting one of a removal of the cover from a first position proximate to a top side of the body, a subsequent placement of the cover in a second position proximate to a bottom side of the body, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled with a gaming server via a network, and further comprising accessing the gaming server to facilitate playing the game. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the initial settings comprise default settings for the gaming engine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the initial settings comprise a user profile accessible to the gaming engine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the device receives the signal via a wireless communications interface.