Power system for affecting gaming conditions

Abstract

The invention concerns a method ( 300 ) and system ( 100 ) for affecting gaming conditions based on at least one predefined parameter of a power source ( 126, 131 ). The method can include the steps of storing ( 312 ) the predefined parameter, in a first gaming unit ( 110 ) that receives power from the power source, providing ( 314 ) a gaming environment and detecting ( 316 ) the presence of the predefined parameter of the power source. The method can also include the step of altering ( 320 ) at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment based on the detected predefined parameter.

1 . A method for affecting gaming conditions based on at least one predefined parameter of a power source, comprising the steps of: 
 storing the predefined parameter;    in a first gaming unit that receives power from the power source, providing a gaming environment;    detecting the presence of the predefined parameter of the power source; and    altering at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment based on the detected predefined parameter.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gaming condition is selected from the availability of gaming elements, the display size of gaming elements, the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment, the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment, the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment, the display color of gaming elements or the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the altering step comprises the steps of: 
 reducing the availability of gaming elements;    decreasing the display size of gaming elements;    decreasing the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment;    decreasing the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment;    decreasing the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment; or    reducing the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the altering step comprises the steps of: 
 increasing the availability of gaming elements;    increasing the display size of gaming elements;    increasing the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment;    increasing the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment;    increasing the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment; or    increasing the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.    
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting the predefined parameter of the power source comprises the steps of: 
 determining a manufacturer of the power source;    determining a voltage capacity of the power source;    determining a current capacity of the power source;    determining an expiration date of the power source;    determining a chemical composition of the power source; or    determining an identification value of the power source.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing the power source of the first gaming unit to a user of a second gaming unit;    detecting in the second gaming unit the predefined parameter of the power source; and    altering at least one gaming condition of a gaming environment of the second gaming unit based on the detected predefined parameter.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gaming environment permits a plurality of users to participate in the gaming environment and the method further comprises the step of communicating to the users who are participating in the gaming environment the predefined parameters of the power source.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 storing a game in a memory of the power source; and    downloading the game from the memory to provide the gaming environment.    
     
     
         10 . A system for affecting gaming conditions based on at least one predefined parameter of a power source, comprising: 
 a user interface section that provides a gaming environment;    a power source having a memory that stores at least one predefined parameter of the power source, wherein the power source provides power to the user interface section; and    a processor, wherein the power source also provides power to the processor and the processor is programmed to: 
 detect the presence of the predefined parameter of the power source; and  
 when the processor detects the predefined parameter of the power source, alter at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment based on the detected predefined parameter.  
   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the gaming condition is selected from the availability of gaming elements, the display size of gaming elements, the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment, the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment, the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment, the display color of gaming elements or the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further programmed to alter the gaming condition by: 
 reducing the availability of gaming elements;    decreasing the display size of gaming elements;    decreasing the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment;    decreasing the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment;    decreasing the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment; or    reducing the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.    
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further programmed to alter the gaming condition by: 
 increasing the availability of gaming elements;    increasing the display size of gaming elements;    increasing the strength of gaming elements in the gaming environment;    increasing the ability of gaming elements to mutate in the gaming environment;    increasing the stealthing ability of gaming elements in the gaming environment; or    increasing the speed at which gaming elements operate in the gaming environment.    
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to detect the defined parameter of the power source by: 
 determining a manufacturer of the power source;    determining a voltage capacity of the power source;    determining a current capacity of the power source;    determining an expiration date of the power source;    determining a chemical composition of the power source; or    determining an identification value of the power source.    
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.  
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises a second gaming unit having a processor, wherein when the power source of the first gaming unit provides power to the second gaming unit, the processor of the second gaming unit is programmed to: 
 detect in the second gaming unit the predefined parameter of the power source of the first gaming unit; and    alter at least one gaming condition of a gaming environment of the second gaming unit based on the detected predefined parameter.    
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the gaming environment permits a plurality of users to participate in the gaming environment and wherein the gaming environment communicates to the users who are participating in the gaming environment the predefined parameters of the power source.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the power source includes a memory for storing a game and wherein the processor is further programmed to download the game from the memory.  
     
     
         19 . A power source for affecting gaming conditions in a gaming unit, comprising: 
 at least one cell, wherein the cells provide power to the gaming unit;    a memory for storing at least one predefined parameter of the power source; and    a contact, wherein a processor of the gaming unit detects the predefined parameters through the contact and alters at least one gaming condition in a gaming environment of the gaming unit based on the detected predefined parameter.