U.S. patent application number 15/198565 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-01 for method and apparatus for processing gestures.
The applicant listed for this patent is STEELSERIES APS. Invention is credited to FRANCIS ARNOLD GREVER, BRUCE HAWVER, JEFFREY NICHOLAS MAHLMEISTER, KIM ROM, TINO SOELBERG, JACOB WOLFF-PETERSEN.
Application Number | 20170151498 15/198565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51985724 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170151498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SOELBERG; TINO ; et
al. |
June 1, 2017 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING GESTURES
Abstract
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include,
for example, a processor to perform operations including sensing a
gesture performed by an object in a vicinity of a sensor,
associating the gesture with the at least one gaming action
responsive to determining that the gesture is a new gesture not
previously associated with at least one gaming action of a
plurality of gaming actions that control presentations produced by
a gaming application, sensing by way of the sensor a subsequent
instance of the gesture by the object or a different object,
obtaining the at least one gaming action associated with the
gesture responsive to detecting the subsequent instance of the
gesture, and providing the at least one gaming action to the gaming
application. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
SOELBERG; TINO; (Valby,
DK) ; HAWVER; BRUCE; (Hawthorn Woods, IL) ;
WOLFF-PETERSEN; JACOB; (Richmond, GB) ; MAHLMEISTER;
JEFFREY NICHOLAS; (Chicago, IL) ; GREVER; FRANCIS
ARNOLD; (Palatine, IL) ; ROM; KIM; (San
Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STEELSERIES APS |
Frederiksberg |
|
DK |
|
|
Family ID: |
51985724 |
Appl. No.: |
15/198565 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13905525 |
May 30, 2013 |
9409087 |
|
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15198565 |
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61792519 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/428 20140902;
A63F 13/21 20140901; A63F 13/213 20140902 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/428 20060101
A63F013/428; A63F 13/213 20060101 A63F013/213 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a processing system including a processor;
and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when
executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations, comprising: identifying a gaming venue state during a
presentation of a gaming application resulting in an identified
gaming venue state; detecting a first gesture with a first
proximity sensor resulting in a detection of the first gesture;
associating the first gesture with a first gaming action according
to the identified gaming venue state; detecting a second gesture
with a second proximity sensor during the detection of the first
gesture; associating the second gesture with a second gaming action
according to the identified gaming venue state and the detection of
the first gesture; and performing the first gaming action and the
second gaming action during the presentation of the gaming
application.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:
detecting the first gesture with the first proximity sensor;
determining that the first gesture is a new gesture not previously
associated with any gaming action of a plurality of gaming actions
that can be performed during the presentation of the gaming
application; and presenting in a graphical user interface the
plurality of gaming actions for enabling an association between the
first gesture and one of the plurality of gaming actions.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a first input for associating the first gesture to the
first gaming action which is one of the plurality of gaming
actions; and associating the first gesture with the first gaming
action according to the first input.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:
detecting the second gesture with the second proximity sensor;
determining that the second gesture is a new gesture not previously
associated with any gaming action of a plurality of gaming actions
that can be performed during the presentation of the gaming
application; and presenting in a graphical user interface the
plurality of gaming actions for enabling an association between the
second gesture and one of the plurality of gaming actions.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a second input for associating the second gesture to the
second gaming action which is one of the plurality of gaming
actions; and associating the second gesture with the gaming action
according to the second input.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action simultaneously during the
presentation of the gaming application.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing the first gaming
action prior to the second gaming action during the presentation of
the gaming application.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing the second gaming
action in response to the first gaming action during the
presentation of the gaming application.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first gesture and the
second gesture is one of a two dimensional gesture and a three
dimensional gesture.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of the first gaming
action and the second gaming action performs controlling actions of
an animated object presented by gaming application.
11. A method, comprising: determining, by a processing system
including a processor, a gaming venue state of a gaming application
resulting in a determined gaming venue state; sensing, by the
processing system, a first gesture with a first proximity sensor
resulting in a sensing of the first gesture; identifying, by the
processing system, a first gaming action according to the
determined gaming venue state and the sensing of the first gesture;
sensing, by the processing system, a second gesture with a second
proximity sensor during the sensing of the first gesture resulting
in a sensing of the second gesture; identifying, by the processing
system, a second gaming action according to the determined gaming
venue state, the sensing of the first gesture, and the sensing of
the second gesture; and performing, by the processing system, the
first gaming action and the second gaming action during a
presentation of the gaming application.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing, by the processing
system, the first gaming action and the second gaming action
simultaneously during the presentation of the gaming
application.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing, by the processing
system, the first gaming action prior to the second gaming action
during the presentation of the gaming application.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the first gaming
action and the second gaming action during the presentation of the
gaming application further comprises performing, by the processing
system, the second gaming action in response to the first gaming
action during the presentation of the gaming application.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the first gesture and
the second gesture is one of a two dimensional gesture and a three
dimensional gesture.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the one of the first gaming
action and the second gaming action performs controlling actions of
an animated object presented by gaming application.
17. A machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable
instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a
processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
identifying a gaming venue state during a presentation of a gaming
application resulting in an identified gaming venue state;
associating a first gesture with a first gaming action according to
the identified gaming venue state responsive to detecting the first
gesture with a first proximity sensor resulting in a detection of
the first gesture; associating a second gesture with a second
gaming action according to the identified gaming venue state and
the first gaming action responsive to detecting the second gesture
with a second proximity sensor during the detection of the first
gesture; and performing the first gaming action and the second
gaming action during the presentation of the gaming
application.
18. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein
performing the first gaming action and the second gaming action
during the presentation of the gaming application further comprises
performing the first gaming action and the second gaming action
simultaneously during the presentation of the gaming
application.
19. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein
performing the first gaming action and the second gaming action
during the presentation of the gaming application further comprises
performing the first gaming action prior to the second gaming
action during the presentation of the gaming application.
20. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein
performing the first gaming action and the second gaming action
during the presentation of the gaming application further comprises
performing the second gaming action in response to the first gaming
action during the presentation of the gaming application.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/905,525, filed May 30, 2013,
which is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/792,519 filed Mar. 15,
2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The subject disclosure relates generally to a method and
apparatus for processing gestures.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is common today for gamers to utilize more than one
gaming accessory. This is especially true of gamers who play
Massively Multiplayer On-line (MMO) games in a team or individual
configuration. Gamers can have at their disposal accessories such
as a keyboard, a general purpose gaming pad, a mouse, a gaming
console controller, a headset with a built-in microphone to
communicate with other players, a joystick, a computer display, or
other common gaming accessories.
[0004] A gamer can frequently use a combination of these
accessories in one game (e.g., headset, a keyboard, and mouse).
Efficient management and utilization of these accessories can
frequently impact a gamer's ability to compete.
[0005] Accessory management can also have utility in other
disciplines which may not relate to gaming applications. Efficient
use of accessories in these other disciplines can also be important
to users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a Graphical
User Interface (GUI) generated by an Accessory Management Software
(AMS) application according to the subject disclosure;
[0008] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 depict illustrative embodiments for
communicatively coupling a gaming controller to a computing
device;
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device;
[0010] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, and 5G depicts illustrative
embodiments for configuring a gaming environment by way of the AMS
application using gestures;
[0011] FIGS. 6-7 depicts illustrative embodiments for configuring a
gaming environment by way of the AMS application;
[0012] FIGS. 8-9 depicts illustrative embodiments of communication
flow diagrams utilized by the AMS application;
[0013] FIGS. 10-11 depicts illustrative embodiments of gamer
statistics; and
[0014] FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation
of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of
instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any
one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The subject disclosure describes, among other things,
illustrative embodiments of accessories that detect gestures, and
the processing of such gestures. Other embodiments are contemplated
by the subject disclosure.
[0016] One embodiment of the subject disclosure can entail a system
having a memory to store instructions, and a processor coupled to
the memory and coupled a near field sensor. Execution of the
instructions by the processor, can cause the processor to perform
operations including detecting a gesture of a first object by
sensing the first object with an accessory comprising a near field
sensor that detects objects in a vicinity of the accessory,
determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously
associated with at least one gaming action of a plurality of gaming
actions that control presentations produced by a gaming
application, associating the gesture with the at least one gaming
action responsive to the determination, detecting a second object
by way of the accessory, detecting movement of the second object,
detecting the gesture according to the movement of the second
object, obtaining the at least one gaming action associated with
the gesture responsive to detecting the gesture, and transmitting
the at least one gaming action to the gaming application.
[0017] One embodiment of the subject disclosure can entail a method
for sensing, by an accessory comprising a processor coupled to a
near field sensor, a gesture performed by an object in a vicinity
of the accessory that is detectable by the near field sensor,
associating, by the accessory, the gesture with the at least one
gaming action responsive to determining that the gesture is a new
gesture not previously associated with at least one gaming action
of a plurality of gaming actions that control presentations
produced by a gaming application, sensing, by the accessory, a
subsequent instance of the gesture by the object or a different
object, obtaining, by the accessory, the at least one gaming action
associated with the gesture responsive to detecting the subsequent
instance of the gesture, and transmitting, by the accessory, the at
least one gaming action to the gaming application.
[0018] One embodiment of the subject disclosure can entail a
processor to perform operations including sensing a gesture
performed by an object in a vicinity of a sensor, associating the
gesture with the at least one gaming action responsive to
determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously
associated with at least one gaming action of a plurality of gaming
actions that control presentations produced by a gaming
application, sensing by way of the sensor a subsequent instance of
the gesture by the object or a different object, obtaining the at
least one gaming action associated with the gesture responsive to
detecting the subsequent instance of the gesture, and providing the
at least one gaming action to the gaming application.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a Graphical
User Interface (GUI) generated by an Accessory Management Software
(AMS) application according to the subject disclosure. The AMS
application can be executed by a computing device such as a desktop
computer, a laptop computer, a server, a mainframe computer, a
gaming console, a gaming accessory, or combinations or portions
thereof. The AMS application can also be executed by portable
computing devices such as a cellular phone, a smart phone, a
tablet, a personal digital assistant, or a media player (such as an
iPOD.TM.--iPOD.TM. is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.). It is
contemplated that the AMS application can be executed by any device
with suitable computing resources. The operations of the AMS will
be described below according to the illustrative embodiments of
methods 500-700 of FIGS. 5-7.
[0020] FIG. 2A depicts a gaming controller 115 which can be used by
a gamer, according to an embodiment of the subject disclosure. In
this embodiment, gaming controller 115 and gaming console 220 have
an integrated wireless interface for wireless communications
therebetween (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., or
proprietary protocol). Bluetooth.RTM. is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth SIG, Inc, and ZigBee.RTM. is a registered trademark of
the Zigbee Alliance. The gaming console 220 is coupled to network
250 via communication link 245, such as a WiFi link, to the
internet. The gaming console 220 can be, for example, an Xbox.TM.,
a PS3.TM., a Wii.TM. or other suitable gaming console device
(Xbox.TM. is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, PS3.TM. is a
trademark of Sony Corporation, and Wii.TM. is a trademark of
Nintendo Corporation). Video information is displayed to the gamer
on display device 230, which in this illustration is coupled to
gaming console 220 by a wired connection 235 (e.g., HDMI
connection). Display device 230 may be a television or a touch
screen that serves both as an input device and an output device for
experiencing a video game. Alternatively, the gaming controller 115
can be tethered to a computing device such as the gaming console by
a cable (e.g., USB cable) to provide a means of communication that
is less susceptible to electromagnetic or other sources of wireless
interference.
[0021] It is to be understood that the devices shown in FIG. 2A are
merely illustrations of a wide variety of computing devices or
other components that may be used in a video game, including an
online game operated by an on-line gaming server 272. In another
embodiment, shown in FIG. 2B, a desktop computer 262 can be used in
place of the gaming console 220. In one embodiment, the desktop
computer 262 can be configured to execute software that presents a
localized game. In another embodiment, the desktop computer 262 can
be configured to execute a gaming client (e.g., a software
application) acting in cooperation with the on-line gaming server
272 accessible by the desktop computer 262 via the network 250 to
present an on-line game (e.g., World of Warcraft.TM., which is a
trademark of Blizzard Entertainment). The gaming accessory used
with the desktop computer 262 can be a keyboard 108, a mouse 110,
or another suitable gaming accessory device.
[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates gaming accessory devices with which a
gamer 301 can interact. Touch-sensitive devices 310 can include a
game controller 115, mouse 110, a keyboard 108, a display 230
(which may be touch-screen capable), and a joystick 116. Audio
devices 320 can include headphones 114, a microphone 321, and a
speakerphone 323. Imaging devices 330 can include a webcam 331.
These accessory devices can provide sensory stimuli to the gamer,
detect responses from the gamer, or both. The accessories can be
coupled to the computing device by a tethered interface (e.g., USB
cable), a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi), or
combinations thereof.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device 400. Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part
as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 2-3.
The communication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless transceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface
(UI) 404, a power supply 414, a proximity or touch sensor 416, a
motion sensor 418, an orientation sensor 420, and a controller 406
for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can support
short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as
Bluetooth.RTM., WiFi, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
(DECT), or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a
few. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X,
UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, software defined
radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well as other next
generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The
transceiver 402 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched
wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched
wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and
combinations thereof.
[0024] The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 408 coupled to a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball,
a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating
operations of the communication device 400. The keypad 408 can be
an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device
400 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered
wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface
supporting for example Bluetooth.RTM.. The keypad 408 can represent
a numeric keypad, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys.
The UI 404 can further include a display 410 such as monochrome or
color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting
Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to
an end user of the communication device 400.
[0025] In an embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or all of the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the
display 410 with navigation features (e.g., an iPad.TM.,
iPhone.TM., or Android.TM. phone or tablet). iPad.TM., iPhone.TM.
are trademarks of Apple Computer, and Android.TM. is a trademark of
Google Corporation. As a touch screen display, the communication
device 400 can be adapted to present a user interface with
graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a
user with a touch of a finger or fingers. The touch screen display
410 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of
sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's
finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display.
This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of
the GUI elements.
[0026] The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that
utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as
audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume
audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation, stereo or
surround sound system). The audio system 412 can further include a
microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio
system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The
UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a charged
coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images
and performing image recognition therefrom.
[0027] The power supply 414 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable or rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 400
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.
Alternatively, the charging system can utilize external power
sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as
a USB port or by way of a power cord attached to a transformer that
converts AC to DC power.
[0028] The proximity or touch sensor 416 can utilize proximity
and/or touch sensing technology such as an electromagnetic sensor,
a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a near-field sensor
(using technology such as a GestIC.TM., a trademark of Microchip
Technology, Inc.), an image sensor (using technology such as a
LeapMotion Controller.TM., a trademark of LeapMotion, Inc), or
combinations thereof. The motion sensor 418 can utilize motion
sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other
suitable motion sensing technology to detect movement of the
communication device 400 in three-dimensional space. The
orientation sensor 420 can utilize orientation sensing technology
such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the
communication device 400 (North, South, West, East, combined
orientations thereof in degrees, minutes, or other suitable
orientation metrics).
[0029] The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to
also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., or
other wireless access points by common sensing techniques such as
utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a
signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF). The
controller 406 can utilize computing technologies such as a
microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM,
SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.
[0030] All or a portion of the technologies described for
communication device 400 can be integrated in accessories such as
shown in FIGS. 5B-5G. For example, the proximity and/or touch
sensor 416 can be integrated in each of the accessories shown in
FIGS. 5B-5G. Accordingly, these accessories can detect touch and/or
near field activities such as gestures performed by a user. Other
technologies of the communication device 400 can be integrated in
whole or in part in these accessories, such as the transceiver 402,
controller 506, motion sensor 418, and so on.
[0031] FIGS. 5A and 6-7 depict methods 500-700 which describe
illustrative embodiments of the AMS application. Method 500 can
begin with step 502 in which the AMS application is invoked in a
computing device. The computing device can be a remote server 272,
a computer 262, or the gaming console 220 of FIGS. 2A-2B, or any
other computing device with suitable computing resources such as a
smartphone, a laptop computer, or a tablet as shown in FIG. 3. The
invocation step can result from a user selection with a mouse,
speech detection, or other navigation and selection approach of the
AMS application from a menu or iconic symbol presented on a desktop
of the computing device by an operating system (OS) managing
operations of the computing device. In step 504, the AMS
application can detect by way of drivers in the OS a plurality of
operationally distinct accessories communicatively coupled to or an
integral part of the computing device. The accessories can be
coupled to the computing device by a tethered interface (e.g., USB
cable), a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM. or WiFi), or
combinations thereof. The accessories can also be an integral part
of the computing device (e.g., a touch screen display).
[0032] In the present context, an accessory can represent any type
of device which can be communicatively coupled to the computing
device (or an integral part of the computing device) and which can
control aspects of the OS and/or a software application executed by
the computing device. An accessory can represent for example a
keyboard, a touch screen display, a gaming pad, a gaming
controller, a mouse, a joystick, a microphone, or a headset with a
microphone--just to mention a few.
[0033] In step 506, the AMS application presents a GUI 101 such as
depicted in FIG. 1 with operationally distinct accessories such as
a keyboard 108, and a gaming controller 115. The GUI 101 presents
the accessories 108-116 in a scrollable section 117. One or more
accessories can be selected by a user with a mouse pointer. In this
illustration, the keyboard 108 and the gaming controller 115 were
selected for customization. Upon selecting the keyboard 108 and the
gaming controller 115 from the scrollable window of section 117,
the AMS application presents the keyboard 108 and the gaming
controller 115 in split windows 118, 120, respectively, to assist
the user during the customization process.
[0034] In step 508, the AMS application can be programmed to detect
a user-selection of a particular software application such as a
game. This step can be the result of the user entering with speech
detection or keyboard entries in a Quick Search field 160 the name
of a gaming application (e.g., World of Warcraft.TM. or WoW). Upon
identifying a gaming application, the AMS application can retrieve
in step 510 from a remote or local database gaming application
actions which can be presented in a scrollable section 139 of the
GUI represented as "Actions" 130. The actions can be tactical
actions 132, communication actions 134, menu actions 136, and
movement actions 138 which can be used to invoke and manage
features of the gaming application.
[0035] The actions presented descriptively in section 130 of the
GUI can represent a sequence of accessory input functions which a
user can stimulate by button depressions, navigation or speech. For
example, depressing the left button on the mouse 110 can represent
the tactical action "Reload", while the simultaneous keyboard
depressions "Ctrl A" can represent the tactical action "Melee
Attack". For ease of use, the "Actions" 130 section of the GUI is
presented descriptively rather than by a description of the input
function(s) of a particular accessory.
[0036] In one embodiment, any one of the Actions 130 can be
associated with one or more input functions of the accessories
being customized in windows 118 and 120 by way of a drag and drop
action or other customization options. For instance, a user can
select a "Melee Attack" by placing a mouse pointer 133 over an
iconic symbol associated with this action. Upon doing so, the
symbol can be highlighted to indicate to the user that the icon is
selectable. At this point, the user can select the icon by holding
the left mouse button and dragging the symbol to any of the input
functions (e.g., buttons) of the keyboard 108 or selectable options
of the gaming controller 115 to make an association with an input
function of one of these accessories.
[0037] In another embodiment, actions 130 can be associated with
gestures detected by a gaming accessory. For example, in window 118
a hand 170 is depicted as reference 180. The hand symbol 170 also
includes a drop-down menu depicted by symbol 171, which is
selectable with the mouse pointer 133. The drop-down symbol 171,
when selected, can present a list of gestures recorded by the AMS
application as a library of gestures associated with the keyboard
180. Illustrations of these gestures are shown in FIG. 5B. For
example, a clockwise or counterclockwise turn of a user's hand can
represent gesture 352. A diagonal movement of the hand can
represent gesture 353, and so on for gestures 354 and 355. The AMS
application can be adapted to record gestures 352-355 in a library
using the macro recording function described below at step 520.
[0038] In a manner similar to the embodiment described earlier, a
user can select "Melee Attack" by placing the mouse pointer 133
over the iconic symbol associated with this action. The user can
then select the icon by holding the left mouse button and dragging
the symbol to the drop-down menu symbol 171, which in turn presents
the library of gestures associated with the keyboard 108 as shown
in FIG. 5B. While holding the left mouse button, the user can drag
the Melee Attack icon over one of gestures 352-355. When the icon
overlaps one of the gestures, the AMS application can be adapted to
highlight the gesture with color or other suitable highlighting
techniques. Once the user locates the gesture of interest, the user
can release the left mouse button to initiate the association. The
AMS application can in response to releasing the left mouse button
automatically make the association, or prompt the user to verify
the association ("Select OK if you wish to associate Melee Attack
with the highlighted gesture?").
[0039] The association of Actions 130 can also be performed with
the gaming controller 115 based on the hand symbol 180 and
corresponding drop-down menu 181. Like the keyboard 108, the gaming
controller 115 can have a library of gestures 357-360 as shown in
FIG. 5C that can be created by way of the recording function
provided by the AMS application. Other accessories such as a
display, a headset, a microphone, and a mouse can be adapted with a
proximity and/or touch sensor 416 for sensing gestures such as
gestures 362-364 of FIG. 5D, gestures 372-375 of FIG. 5E, gestures
377-379 of FIG. 5F, and gestures 382-384 of FIG. 5G, respectively.
It is further noted that the positioning of fingers, and the
orientation of the hand can also be used as a means to distinguish
between gestures.
[0040] For instance, the hand symbol 170 shows two fingers, which
is distinguishable from the two fingers of hand symbol 180 and one
finger of hand symbol 361. In addition, the orientation of hand
symbol 361 is distinguishable from the orientation of hand symbols
170 and 180. These distinctions can be used to further identify
which gestures are associated with which accessories. It is further
noted that such distinctions can be used to form multiple libraries
for the same accessory. For example hand symbol 170 can be used for
a first library of gestures associated with the keyboard 108, and
hand symbol 361 can be used for a second library of gestures
associated with the keyboard 108.
[0041] It is also noted that touch combinations can also be used
for distinguishing between gestures and/or libraries. For instance,
a single tap based on hand symbol 170 can trigger one library,
while a double tap based on the same hand symbol 170 can trigger a
second library. The combination of taps, hand orientation, or
finger orientation can provide users multiple options for recording
gesture libraries. It is also noted that a gesture library of one
accessory can be associated with other accessories, or can be
transferred or swapped between accessories. It is also noted that a
single gesture can also be transferred or swapped between
accessories. It is further noted that gestures can be performed
with both hands.
[0042] In another embodiment, the actions of one accessory can also
be associated with another accessory that is of a different
category. For example, gestures, or key depressions of the keyboard
108 can be associated with one of the buttons of the gaming
controller 115 (e.g., the left button 119).
[0043] Based on the above illustrative associations, when a
selected button is depressed, or a gesture is detected by the
keyboard 108 or gaming controller 115, the stimulus signal that is
generated by the selected button or gesture can be substituted by
the AMS application with the Melee Attack action. In yet another
embodiment, the Melee Action can be associated with movement of the
gaming controller 115 such as, for example, rapid movement, shaking
of the gaming controller 115, or a gesture performed with the
controller 115 itself.
[0044] In a further embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted
to make associations with two dimensional or three dimensional
movements of the gaming controller 115 or two dimensional or three
dimensional gestures according to a gaming venue state. For
example, suppose a gamer's avatar enters a fighter jet. In this
gaming venue state, moving the left navigation knob of the gaming
controller 115 forward can be associated by the AMS application
with controlling the throttle of the jet engines. Similarly, hand
gestures (of a single hand or both) can be used. For example, one
hand over one accessory with proximity sensing can be used to
detect throttling of the jet engines, while the other hand over the
same or difference accessory can be used to navigate upwards,
downwards, bank right, bank left, or perform any other three
dimensional maneuvering. In yet another embodiment, rapidly moving
the gaming controller 115 downward can represent release of
munitions such as a bomb, or a separation of fingers followed by a
downward motion of the hand detected by a proximity sensor of the
accessory as a gesture can also represent release of munitions.
[0045] In a gaming venue state where the gamer's avatar has entered
a building, lifting of the gaming controller 115 or a hand
(detected by a sensor of the gaming controller 115) above a first
displacement threshold can be associated with a rapid movement of
the avatar up one floor. A second displacement threshold can be
associated with a rapid movement of the avatar down one floor--the
opposite of the first displacement threshold. Alternatively, the
second displacement threshold could be associated with a different
action such as jumping between buildings when the avatar is on the
roof of a building.
[0046] The AMS application can associate standard stimuli generated
by manipulating a gaming accessory or detecting gestures via the
gaming accessory with substitute stimuli that control gaming
actions of a video game. The AMS application can be adapted to
perform these associations based on a gaming venue state such as
the ones described above. Accordingly, the associations made
between stimuli supplied by an accessory such as the gaming
controller 115 from manipulations of the gaming controller 115 or
gestures detected thereby can be venue state dependent. The gaming
venue state can be a description of a gaming state (e.g., entering
a tank which requires the use of gaming controls for a tank),
captured images of the gaming venue state (e.g., one or more still
images of a tank, or a video of an avatar entering a tank), and/or
application programming instructions (API) messages which can be
received from the gaming application to enable the AMS application
to identify the occurrence of a particular gaming venue state.
[0047] It is also noted that the AMS application can be directed to
make associations according to speech commands For example, a user
can state "associate Melee attack with the letter "A" of the
keyboard 108," or "associate Ctrl A of the keyboard 108 with the
"X" button of the gaming controller 115", or "associate waving of
my left hand with Melee attack," and so on. The AMS application can
use speech recognition technology to parse and process such speech
commands to make the requested associations.
[0048] At step 512 the AMS application can also respond to a user
selection of a profile. A profile can be a device profile or master
profile invoked by selecting GUI button 156 or 158, each of which
can identify the association of gaming actions with stimuli
generated by one or more accessories. If a profile selection is
detected in step 512, the AMS application can retrieve in step 514
macro(s) and/or prior associations defined by the profile. The
actions and/or macros defined in the profile can also be presented
in step 516 by the AMS application in the actions column 130 of the
GUI 101 to modify existing profile associations or create new
associations.
[0049] In step 518, the AMS application can also respond to a user
selection to create a macro. A macro in the present context can
mean any actionable command which can be recorded by the AMS
application. An actionable command can represent a sequence of
stimuli generated by manipulating input functions of an accessory,
gestures detected thereby, a combination of actions in the Action
section 130, an identification of a software application to be
initiated by an operating system (OS), or any other recordable
stimulus to initiate, control or manipulate software
applications.
[0050] For instance, a macro can represent a user entering the
identity of a software application (e.g., instant messaging tool)
to be initiated by an OS upon the AMS application detecting through
speech recognition a speech command A macro can also represent
recordable speech delivered by a microphone singly or in
combination with a headset for detection by another software
application through speech recognition or for delivery of the
recorded speech to other parties. In yet another embodiment a macro
can represent recordable navigation of an accessory such as a
joystick of the gaming controller 115, recordable selections of
buttons of the gaming controller 115, and so on. Macros can also be
combinations of the above illustrations with selected actions from
the Actions 130 menu. Macros can further represent libraries of
gestures recorded by the AMS application.
[0051] Macros can be created from the GUI 101 by selecting a
"Record Macro" button 148. The macro can be given a name and
category in user-defined fields 140 and 142. Upon selecting the
Record Macro button 148, a macro can be generated by selection of
input functions on an accessory (e.g., Ctrl A, speech, gesture,
navigation knob movements of the gaming controller 115, etc.)
and/or by manual entry in field 144 (e.g., typing the name and
location of a software application to be initiated by an OS, such
as an instant messaging application, keyboard entries such as Ctrl
A, etc.). Once the macro is created, it can be tested by selecting
button 150 which can repeat the sequence specified in field 144.
The clone button 152 can be selected to replicate the macro
sequence if desired. Fields 152 can also present timing
characteristics of the stimulation sequence in the macro with the
ability to modify and thereby customize the timing of one or more
stimulations in the stimulation sequence. Once the macro has been
fully defined, selection of button 154 records the macro in step
520.
[0052] Step 520 can also be used to record gestures as described
earlier. For instance, the user can select the record macro button
148, perform a gesture which is detected by the proximity and/or
touch sensor 416 of the accessory device (e.g., keyboard 108), and
select the Save button 154 to complete the recording. The user can
continue to perform these steps to create a library of gestures for
the accessory in question. Gestures can be distinguished not only
by two-dimensional movement, but also by the number of fingers
detected in proximity to the accessory and/or the number of fingers
touching the accessory, as well as three dimensional movement of
the hand. It should be noted that gestures are not limited to
hands. Gestures can also be based on other body parts such as
winking of an eyelid, movement of a user's head, body motion,
etc.
[0053] Once a macro has been recorded, the recording step can be
combined with a step for adding the macro to the associable items
Actions 130, thereby providing the user the means to associate the
macro with input functions of the accessories (e.g., one or more
keys of the keyboard 108, buttons of the gaming controller 115,
etc.).
[0054] In step 522, the AMS application can respond to drag and
drop associations of actions and input functions of the keyboard
108 or the gaming controller 115, or associations described by the
user's speech. Associations can also be made based on the two or
three dimensional movements of the gaming controller 115. If user
input indicates that a user is performing an association, the AMS
application can proceed to step 524 where it can determine if a
profile has been identified in step 512 to record the
association(s) detected. If a profile has been identified, the
associations are recorded and/or stored in the profile in step 526.
If a profile has not been identified in step 512, the AMS
application can create a profile in step 528 for recording the
detected associations. In the same step, the user can name the
newly created profile. The newly created profile can also be
associated with one or more gaming software applications in step
530 for future reference. The AMS application can also record in a
profile in step 526 associations based on gaming venue states. In
this embodiment the same stimuli generated by the gaming controller
115 or keyboard 108 can result in different substitutions based on
the gaming venue state detected by the AMS application.
[0055] The AMS application can also be adapted to utilize image
processing technology to detect a gaming venue state according to
pre-stored images or video clips stored in the profile. For
example, the AMS application can use image processing technology to
identify an avatar of a gamer and track what the avatar does as
directed by the gamer. For example, if the avatar enters a tank,
the image processing technology of the AMS application can detect a
gaming venue state associated with the use of a tank, and thereby
identify associations between accessory stimuli and substitute
stimuli according to the detected gaming venue state.
[0056] Referring back to step 526, once the associations have been
recorded in a profile, the AMS application can determine in step
532 which of the accessories shown illustratively in FIG. 1 are
programmable and available for programming If the AMS application
detects that the accessories (e.g., keyboard 108, gaming controller
115) are communicatively coupled to a computing device from which
the AMS application is operating (e.g., gaming console 220) and
programmable, the AMS application can proceed to step 534 of FIG.
5A where it submits the profile and its contents for storage in one
of the accessories (e.g., the gaming controller 115 in FIG. 2A).
Once the gaming controller 115 is programmed with the profile, it
can perform stimuli substitutions according to the associations
recorded by the AMS application in the profile. Alternatively, the
AMS application can store the profile in a computing device of
FIGS. 2A-2B (e.g., gaming console 220 or computer 262) and perform
substitutions of stimuli supplied by the gaming controller 115
and/or keyboard 108 according to associations recorded in the
profile by the AMS application.
[0057] The GUI 101 of FIG. 1 presented by the AMS application can
have other functions. For example, the GUI 101 can provide options
for layout of the accessory selected (button 122), how the keyboard
is illuminated when associations between input functions and
actions are made (button 134), and configuration options for the
accessory (button 126). The AMS application can adapt the GUI 101
to present more than one functional GUI page. For instance, by
selecting button 102, the AMS application can adapt the GUI 101 to
present a means to create macros and associate actions to accessory
input functions as depicted in FIG. 1. Selecting button 104 can
cause the AMS application to adapt the GUI 101 to present
statistics from stimulation information and/or gaming action
results captured by the AMS application. Selecting button 106 can
also cause the AMS application to adapt the GUI 101 to present
promotional offers and software updates.
[0058] The steps of method 500 in whole or in part can be repeated
until a desirable pattern of associations between stimulus signals
generated by accessories and substitute stimuli is achieved. It
would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that
there can be numerous other approaches to accomplish the
embodiments described by method 500 or variants thereof. These
undisclosed approaches are contemplated by the subject
disclosure.
[0059] Method 600 depicts illustrative embodiments for processing
user requests based on contextual circumstances. Method 600 can
begin, for example, with step 602 where the AMS application
monitors a region for gamers. A region can represent a region of
communication (wired or wireless), a region of visual
identification, or combinations thereof. For example, a region of
communication can represent a region where ambient speech can be
detected by sensing equipment. In this embodiment, the region may
be limited to the audio range of one or more microphones placed
about a location of a computing device executing the AMS
application. In another embodiment, the region of communication may
represent physical access of a gamer to the computing device by way
of a user interface such as a keyboard, mouse, fingerprint reader,
etc. In yet another embodiment, the region of communication can
represent a range of radio frequency communication between a
communication device of a gamer and the computing device. For short
range communications such as Bluetooth or WiFi, the range may be
measured in feet or yards. For long-range communications, such as
cellular communications, the range may be limitless. A region of
visual identification can represent a region from which image
sensors such as cameras coupled to the computing device can detect
a presence of a gamer.
[0060] At step 604, the AMS application can be configured to detect
biometric data of a person within the region being monitored. The
biometric data can be an image of the person detected by one or
more cameras which is then processed by the AMS application using
image processing technology to identify the person according to a
known biometric signature of the person. Biometric data can also
represent fingerprint data collected by a fingerprint reader
coupled to the computing device, a retinal scan performed by an eye
sensor coupled to the computing device, a thermal profile of the
user detected by thermal sensing equipment coupled to the computing
device, or other suitable biometric sensing equipment that can
produce biometric data. To determine an identity of the person
detected in step 604, the AMS application can compare the biometric
data sensed by biometric sensing equipment to pre-recorded
biometric signature data of one or more gamers to identify gamers.
If a gamer is not identified in step 606 based on the comparison,
then the AMS application continues to monitor at step 602 for other
gamers.
[0061] If, however, a match is detected, the AMS application
proceeds to step 610 where it accesses a gaming account of the
identified gamer. The gaming account may be locally stored by the
AMS application in the computing device, or it may be stored at a
remote server that manages gaming accounts for a social network of
gamers. At step 612, the AMS application can determine from the
gaming account a gaming behavior of the identified gamer. The
gaming behavior can comprise data representing behaviors monitored
and recorded by the AMS application when the gamer engages in
gaming sessions with other gamers. For example, the gaming behavior
data can indicate that the identified gamer has played games with a
number of other gamers (e.g., 20 gamers) since the AMS application
began monitoring the gamer. The gaming behavior data may also
identify the most recent games played by the identified gamer, and
the most recent gamers that have engaged in a gaming session with
the identified gamer. The gaming behavior data can include a time
stamp for each gaming session so that the historical data can be
sorted. The gaming behavior data can also categorize gamers by type
of game (e.g., 3 gamers identified as recently engaging in a WoW
game with the identified gamer, another 2 gamers identified as
recently engaging in a Call of Duty.TM. game with the identified
gamer, and so on.). The gaming behavior data may also include
gaming statistics indicating which games the identified gamer
performs best, as well as, gaming statistics of other gamers which
can be compared to the identified gamer. The statistics of the
other gamers can be used, for example, to identify which gamers
pose a challenge to the identified gamer.
[0062] Based on the gaming behavior data, the AMS application can
determine at step 614 a last game played by the identified gamer.
The AMS application can in step 616 determine also from the gaming
behavior data the most recent gamers that have engaged in games
with the identified gamer. In step 618, the AMS application can
further determine if any of the recent gamers are available to play
with the identified gamer. The AMS application can make this
determination by submitting message inquiries by landline or
wireless communication interfaces to communication devices of other
gamers such as the client devices shown in FIG. 3B, and/or by
submitting inquiries to on-line gaming systems such as depicted in
FIG. 3B. The inquiries to the communication devices of the other
gamers can be directed to a gaming client operating in the
communication devices of the other gamers. The gaming client can
represent a software application executed by the communication
device that monitors gaming activities initiated by the user of the
communication device, and thereby can respond to such inquiries
without prompting the user of the communication device.
Alternatively, the inquiry sent by the AMS application can be
presented to a user of the communication device to enable the user
to determine whether s/he wants to expose his/her gaming activities
to the AMS application. If the gamer is engaged in an on-line
gaming session and/or logged in an account of the on-line gaming
system, the on-line gaming system receiving the inquiry can respond
to the AMS application with an acknowledgment of the gamer's
status.
[0063] From the responses sent by the communication devices and/or
the on-line gaming systems, the AMS application can make a
determination whether the gamers are available or busy playing with
other gamers. It is noted that the AMS application can also direct
the inquiries to one or more presence servers (not shown) that
monitor gaming activities associated with the other gamers. Such
presence servers may also provide gaming status information to the
AMS application.
[0064] At step 620, the AMS application can further determine a
gaming environment of the gamer. The gaming environment can be
determined contextually at the time the gamer was identified at
step 606. For example, a time of day when the gamer is detected can
be compared to the gaming behavior data to determine what the
identified gamer has previously done during a similar period. For
instance, the AMS application can determine from the gaming
behavior data that the gamer generally engages in a gaming session
of Call of Duty.TM. at or near the time when the gamer was
identified in step 606. The AMS application can further assess that
the gamer was identified using a tablet as the computing device.
Accordingly, the AMS application can determine that Call of
Duty.TM. can be played after invoking a client program tailored for
this game. The AMS application can determine from location
information provided by a communication device of the gamer (e.g.,
GPS coordinates) has been detected in a library setting. Based on
the location of the gamer, the AMS application can further
determine that gaming must be initiated discretely (i.e., speakers
of the tablet must be muted).
[0065] At step 622, the AMS application can determine whether the
gamer identified at step 606 is interested in engaging in a gaming
session. This determination can be made by an express action of the
identified gamer such as a speech command ("please start a gaming
session based on game XXX"). Alternatively, the determination of
the gamer's interest may be inferred by gestures, body language,
prior behavior, habits, and so on. In one embodiment, the AMS
application can bypass step 622 if it is determined that a
determination cannot be made with high confidence as to whether the
gamer identified in step 606 wishes to engage in a gaming
session.
[0066] At step 624, the identified gamer can be presented a list of
gamers available to engage in a gaming session. The presentation
can be based on synthesized speech projected by the AMS application
by way of an audio system of the computing device (e.g., "Welcome
John. It's good to see you again. I have detected that Sam, Sally,
and Joe are available to play Call of Duty.TM. with you. Would you
like to contact them to coordinate a game?"). Alternatively, or in
combination, a display device of the computing device can present a
list of gamers and status information to indicate what the gamers
may be doing at the time the list is presented.
[0067] At step 626, the AMS application can detect a response from
the identified gamer in the form of speech, gesture, keyboard entry
and/or navigation device selection. The response can include an
identification of a game type to initiate, and one or more gamers
to contact based on the presentation given at step 624.
Alternatively, the response can identify a divergent interest of
the gamer, which may include an identification of a new game type
not consistent with the gaming behavior data, as well as, a request
to engage in a gaming session with gamers not identified by the AMS
application at step 624. At step 628, the AMS application can
select a gaming profile from a group of profiles constructed
according to method 500 of FIG. 5A. The selection of the gaming
profile can be made according to the gaming environment determined
at step 620. In the same step, the AMS application can contact the
other gamers and inform them that the identified gamer of step 606
has requested a gaming session of game XXX. At step 630, the AMS
application can configure the computing device of the identified
gamer according to the gaming profile. Once the gamers accept the
invitation to game with the identified gamer, the AMS application
can proceed to step 632 where it facilitates the gaming session
with the other gamers identified in step 628. The gaming session
may be a peer-to-peer gaming session between the computing devices
of the gamers, or by way of a gaming session coordinated by an
on-line gaming system as depicted in FIG. 3B.
[0068] It is further noted that method 600 can be adapted to answer
any speech inquiries of the gamer associated with gaming. For
example, in one embodiment, the gamer can ask the AMS application
to connect the gamer to a social network for gamers. In this
embodiment, the AMS application can process the speech command,
retrieve social networking information stored in the gaming
account, and connect the gamer to the requested social network. In
another embodiment, the gamer can ask the status of other gamers
not anticipated by the AMS application. In this embodiment, the AMS
application can submit inquiries to client devices, on-line gaming
systems, or presence servers for status information about the
gamers. The AMS application can also apply contextual analysis to
such inquiries. For example, the AMS application can determine a
location of the gamer, a time of the inquiry, and assess a proper
response to an inquiry. For instance, if the gamer is in one time
zone, the AMS application can analyze whether gaming with other
gamers in a different time zone may pose problems for engaging in a
gaming session that may last more than an hour. For example, if the
gamers are teenagers, and parental controls prevent gaming after a
certain time, which may be known to the AMS application, then under
such circumstances the AMS application can inform the gamer that
these gamers may have a limited playing time, and/or suggest other
gamers that may not be subject to parental controls or are in a
similar time zone.
[0069] Once the gaming profile and its contents have been
identified as described in step 628 of method 600, and the gaming
session has started at step 632, the AMS application can proceed to
step 719 of FIG. 7 where it monitors for a change in a gaming venue
state based on the presentations made by the gaming application
initiated between the gamers, or by way of API messages supplied by
the gaming application. At the start of a game, for example, the
gaming venue state can be determined immediately depending on the
gaming options chosen by the gamer. The AMS application can
determine the gaming venue state by tracking the gaming options
chosen by a gamer, receiving an API instruction from the gaming
application, or by performing image processing on the video
presentation generated by the gaming application. For example, the
AMS application can detect that the gamer has directed an avatar to
enter a tank. The AMS application can retrieve in step 719
associations for the gaming controller 115 for controlling the
tank.
[0070] The AMS application can process movements of the gaming
controller 115 forwards, backwards, or sideways in two or three
dimensions to control the tanks movement. Similarly, rotating the
gaming controller 115 or tilting the gaming controller 115 forward
can cause an accelerometer, gyro or magnetometer of the gaming
controller 115 to provide navigational data to the AMS application
which can be substituted with an action to cause the tank to turn
and/or move forward. Additionally, the AMS application can detected
gestures performed by the gamer near or upon the gaming controller
115 which can be used to navigate or control weapons of the tank.
The profile retrieved by the AMS application can indicate that the
greater the forward tilt of the gaming controller 115, the greater
the speed of the tank should be moving forward. Similarly, a rear
tilt can generate navigation data that is substituted with a
reverse motion and/or deceleration of the forward motion to stop or
slow down the tank.
[0071] A three dimensional lift of the gaming controller 115 can
cause the tank to steer according to the three dimensional
navigation data provided by the gaming controller 115. For example,
navigation data associated with a combination of a forward tilt and
right bank of the gaming controller 115 can be substituted by the
AMS application to cause an increase in forward speed of the tank
with a turn to the right determined by the AMS application
according to a degree of banking of the gaming controller 115 to
the right. In the above embodiment, the three dimensional
navigation data allows a gamer to control any directional vector of
the tank including speed, direction, acceleration and deceleration.
Gestures detected by the gaming controller 115 can also control the
tank and/or its weapon systems according to substitute stimuli
associated with particular gestures recorded by the AMS
application.
[0072] In another illustration, the AMS application can detect a
new gaming venue state as a result of the gamer directing the
avatar to leave the tank and travel on foot. Once again the AMS
application retrieves in step 719 associations related to the
gaming venue state. In this embodiment, selection of buttons of the
gaming controller 115 can be associated by the AMS application with
weaponry selection, firing, reloading and so on. The movement of
the gaming controller 115 in two or three dimensions can control
the direction of the avatar and/or selection or use of weaponry.
Alternatively, or in combination, gestures can control navigation
of the avatar and/or use of weaponry. Once the gaming venue state
is detected in step 719, the AMS application retrieves the
associations related to the venue state, and can perform
substitutions of stimuli generated by the gaming controller 115 by
way of its controls or detected gestures, and/or based on speech
commands received by a microphone of the headset 114.
[0073] The AMS application can monitor in step 720 stimulus signals
generated by the accessories coupled to the gaming console 220. The
stimulus signals can be generated by the gamer by manipulating the
gaming controller 115 or gestures detected thereby, and/or by
generating speech commands detected by the headset 114.
[0074] If stimulus signals are detected at step 720, then the AMS
application can generate stimulations from the stimulus signals
based upon configuration settings in step 724. In one embodiment,
the configuration settings can establish a responsiveness of the
AMS application to changes in a stimulus signal of an accessory
device. For example, a configuration setting can determine a speed
of response to a movement of the gaming controller 115. When the
gaming controller 115 is moved in space, digital data is generated
indicating a direction and distance of movement relative to a
former position. A polling algorithm in the AMS application can
read the output data of the gaming controller 115 at periodic
intervals to determine if the gaming controller 115 position has
changed and, if so, the direction and magnitude of this change.
[0075] In several embodiments, one or more configuration settings
can be assigned and stored in the AMS application to control
responsiveness, resolution, speed, feedback, and/or sensitivity of
one or more accessory devices being used to control a game. For
example, one or more configuration settings can be defined for
counts per inch (CPI) for movement of an input device, frames per
second (FPS) and/or dots per inch (DPI) for a display device,
inches per second (IPS) for speed and acceleration of an input
device, lift distance for a three-dimensional input device, polling
rate, feedback intensity, scrolling and/or double-click speed,
direction sensitivity and/or window pointer speed for an input
device.
[0076] The configuration settings can allow the player to configure
the accessory device performance to fit the player's style and
preferences and can be maintained in a player profile. In one
embodiment, the configuration settings can have a default
configuration that is established by the AMS application and/or by
add-in applications and/or set-up data associated with each
accessory device. In one embodiment, the AMS application converts
each stimulus signal from each communicating accessory device into
a stimulation signal based on the current configuration
settings.
[0077] In step 728, the AMS application can determine whether to
forward the stimulations generated by the accessory to an Operating
System (OS) of the gaming console 220 without substitutions. This
determination can be made by comparing the stimulations to an
association in the profile. If the stimulations match the
associations, then the AMS application proceeds to step 740 where
it retrieves substitute stimulations in the profile. In step 742,
the AMS application can substitute the stimulations with the
substitute stimulations in the profile. In one embodiment, the AMS
application can track in step 744 the substitute stimulations by
updating these stimulations with a unique identifier such as a
globally unique identifier (GUID). In this embodiment, the AMS
application can also add a time stamp to each substituted
stimulation to track when the substitution was performed.
[0078] In another embodiment, the AMS application can track each
substitute stimulation according to its order of submission to the
gaming application. For instance, sequence numbers can be generated
for the substitute stimulations to track the order in which they
were submitted to the gaming application. In this embodiment, the
substitute stimulations do not need to be updated with sequence
numbers or identifiers so long as the order of gaming action
results submitted by the gaming application to the AMS application
remain in the same order as the substitute stimulations were
originally submitted.
[0079] For example, if a first stimulation sent to the gaming
application by the AMS application is a command to shoot, and a
second stimulation sent to the gaming application is a command to
shoot again, then so long as the gaming application provides a
first a game action result for the first shot, followed by a game
action result for the second shot, then the substitute stimulations
will not require updating with sequence numbers since the game
action results are reported in the order that the stimulations were
sent. If on the other hand, the game action results can be
submitted out of order, then updating the stimulations with
sequence numbers or another suitable identifier would be required
to enable the AMS application to properly track and correlate
stimulations and corresponding gaming action results.
[0080] Once the stimulations received in step 720 have been
substituted with other stimulations in step 742, and the AMS
application has chosen a proper tracking methodology for
correlating gaming action results with stimulations, the AMS
application can proceed to step 748 and submit the substitute
stimulations to the OS of the gaming console 220. If in step 722
the detected stimulation(s) do not match an association in the
profile, then the AMS application proceeds to one of steps 744 or
746 in order to track the stimulations of the accessory. Once the
AMS application has performed the necessary steps to track the
stimulation as originally generated by the accessory, the AMS
application proceeds to step 748 where it submits stimulations
(with or without substitutions) to the OS of the gaming console 220
with or without tracking information as previously described.
[0081] In step 734, the OS determines whether to invoke in step 736
a software application identified in the stimulation(s) (e.g.,
gamer says "turn on team chat", which invokes a chat application),
whether to forward the received stimulations (or substitute
stimulations generated thereby) to the gaming software application
in step 738, or combinations thereof. Contemporaneous to the
embodiments described above, the AMS application can monitor in
step 750 for game action results supplied by the gaming application
via a defined API. The game action results can be messages sent by
the gaming application by way of the API of the gaming application
to inform the AMS application what has happened as a result of the
stimulations sent in step 738. For instance, suppose the
stimulation sent to the gaming application in step 738 is a command
to shoot a pistol. The gaming application can determine that the
shot fired resulted in a miss of a target. The gaming application
can respond with a message which is submitted by way of the API to
the AMS application that indicates the shot fired resulted in a
miss. If IDs such as GUIDs were sent with each stimulation, then
the gaming application can submit game action results with their
corresponding GUID to enable the AMS application to correlate the
gaming action results with stimulations having the same GUID.
[0082] For example, if the command to shoot included the ID "1234",
then the game action result indicating a miss will include the ID
"1234", which the AMS application can use in step 752 to identify
the stimulation having the same ID. If on other hand, the order of
game action results can be maintained consistent with the order of
the stimulations, then the AMS application can correlate in step
754 stimulations with game action results by the order in which
stimulation were submitted and the order in which game action
results were received. In step 756, the AMS application can
catalogue stimulations and game action results. In another
embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to catalogue the
stimulations in step 760. In this embodiment, step 760 can be
performed as an alternative to steps 750 through 756. In another
embodiment, step 760 can be performed in combination with steps 750
through 756 in order to generate a catalogue of stimulations, and a
catalogue for gaming action results correlated to the
stimulations.
[0083] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate embodiments of a system with a
corresponding communication flow diagram for correlating
stimulations and gaming action results. In this illustration a user
clicks a left button of a gaming controller 115. The gaming
controller 115 can include firmware (or circuitry), which creates
an event as depicted by event 2 in FIG. 8. The button depression
and the event creation are depicted in FIG. 9 as steps 902 and 904.
In step 904, the firmware of the gaming controller 115 can, for
example, generate an event type "left button #3", and a unique GUID
with a time stamp which is submitted to the AMS application.
Referring back to FIG. 8, the AMS application can catalogue event
3, and, if a substitute stimulation has been predefined, can remap
the event according to the substitution. The remapped event is then
transmitted to the gaming application at event 4. Event 3 of FIG. 8
is depicted as step 906 in FIG. 9. In this illustration, the AMS
application substitutes the left button #3 depression stimulus with
a "keyboard `F`" depression which can be interpreted by the gaming
application as a fire command The AMS application in this
illustration continues to use the same GUID, but substitutes the
time stamp for another time stamp to identify when the substitution
took place.
[0084] Referring back to event 4, the gaming application processes
the event and sends back at event 5 a game action result to the AMS
application which is processed by the AMS application at event 6.
The AMS application then submits the results to the accessory at
event 7. Events 4 and 5 are depicted as step 908 in FIG. 9. In this
step, the gaming application processes "F" as an action to fire the
gamer's gun, and then determines from the action the result from
logistical gaming results generated by the gaming application. In
the present illustration, the action of firing resulted in a hit.
The gaming application submits to the AMS application the result
type "Hit" with a new time stamp, while utilizing the same GUID for
tracking purposes. At step 910, the AMS application correlates the
stimulation "left button #3 (and/or the substitute stimulation
keyboard "F") to the game result "Hit" and catalogues them in
memory. The AMS application then submits to the accessory (e.g.,
gaming controller 115) in step 910 the game action results "Hit"
with the same GUID, and a new time stamp indicating when the result
was received. Upon receiving the message from the AMS application,
the accessory in step 912 can process the "Hit" by asserting a red
LED on the accessory (e.g., left button illuminates in red or other
LED of the gaming controller 115 illuminates in red) to indicate a
hit. Other notification notices can be used such as another color
for the LED to indicate misses, a specific sound for a hit, or
kill, a vibration or other suitable technique for notifying the
gamer of the game action result.
[0085] In an embodiment where the AMS application receives gaming
results from a gaming application via an API as described above,
the communication flow diagram shown in FIG. 9 can be modified with
a more comprehensive protocol that includes a weapon type being
monitored, misses, non-kill hits (i.e., a hit that does not result
in a kill), kill hits, and loss of life rate.
[0086] The AMS application can present performance factors of each
gamer, and the type of weapons being tracked (e.g., sniper rifle,
machine gun, hand gun) as shown in FIGS. 10-11. To identify which
weapon is being used at any point in time during a gaming session,
the AMS application can highlight the weapon in a distinguishable
color such as blue while keeping all other weapon rows in gray. The
AMS application can calculate an average hit rate from the misses,
non-kill hits, and kill hits. The AMS application can compare
gaming action results between the gamers to identifying leading
performance factors as shown in the "Comp Rating" column of each
player. In a tournament setting, the performance factors shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11 can be shown in side-by-side monitors, or together
in a JumboTron.TM. display such as those used in sporting events or
the like.
[0087] As the gamer is competing, the input functions of the gaming
controller 115 can be highlighted and moved (in the case of knobs)
to show the audience how the gaming controller 115 is being used by
the gamer. The health of the gamer's avatar can be shown below the
gaming controller 115. To further enhance the experience for the
audience, the gamer's image can be shown as a video clip during the
competition. The AMS application can also be adapted to present a
portion of the video game associated with each gamer as shown in
FIGS. 9-11.
[0088] The methods of FIGS. 5-7 can be adapted to operate in whole
or in part in a gaming accessory, in an operating system of a
computer, in a gaming console, in a gaming application that
generates the video game, in a dongle, or any other suitable
software application and/or device. The method of FIGS. 5-7 can be
adapted to ignore or filter game action results, which may not be
relevant to the gamer or analysts. For instance, the AMS
application can be adapted to ignore (or filter) game action
results relating to navigation of the avatar (e.g., turn around,
jump, etc.). The AMS application can also be adapted to ignore (or
filter) game action results relating to preparatory actions such as
reloading a gun, switching between weapons, and so on. In another
embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to selectively
monitor only particular game result actions such as misses,
non-kill hits, kills, and life of the avatar. The AMS application
can also be adapted to monitor gaming action results with or
without temporal data associated with the stimuli and game action
results.
[0089] In one embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to
track stimuli (or substitutions thereof) by submission order, and
order of gaming action results supplied by the gaming application,
and perform cataloguing thereof by the respective order of stimuli
and gaming action results. The items can be catalogued by the AMS
application with or without temporal data.
[0090] In one embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to
collect gaming action results for "all" or a substantial portion of
stimuli (or substitutions thereof) transmitted to the gaming
application. In this embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted
to enable a gamer to replay portions of the game to allow the gamer
to visualize (in slow motion, still shots, or regular play speed)
the actions taken by the gamer (i.e., accessory stimuli and/or
substitute stimuli) to help the gamer identify areas of the game
where his/her performance can be improved.
[0091] In one embodiment, the AMS application can be implemented as
a distributed system (e.g., one or more servers executing one or
more virtual machines) enabling multiples users to control aspects
of the AMS application. For example, in a tournament setting,
gaming analysts having access to the AMS application can request a
replay of portions of the game to demonstrate exceptional plays
versus missed plays at a JumboTron.TM. display. The gamers can
access the AMS application to establish new substitute stimuli,
perform calibrations on macros, or invoke or create additional
gaming profiles. Portions of the AMS application can also be
implemented by equipment of unaffiliated parties or service
providers of gaming services.
[0092] In one embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to
substitute an accessory stimulus (or stimuli) with a macro
comprising a combination of substitute stimuli, and to track the
macro when gaming action results are received from the gaming
application--rather than tracking each individual substitute
stimulus of the macro. The AMS application can be adapted to
monitor macros by tracking an order of stimuli (or substitutes)
associated with the macro that are transmitted to the gaming
application and by tracking an order of gaming action results
received from the gaming application, which are associated with the
macro. Alternatively, or in combination the AMS application can add
a unique identifier to the substitute stimuli to identify the
stimuli as being associated with the macro.
[0093] The AMS application can be adapted to catalogue the gaming
action results associated with the macro in a manner that allows
the gamer to identify a group of gaming action results as being
associated with the macro. The AMS application can also be adapted
to collect sufficient data to assess each individual gaming action
result of the macro (e.g., temporal data, hits, misses, etc.). The
presentation of catalogued macro data can be hierarchical. For
example, the AMS application can present a particular macro by way
of a high level GUI that indicates the macro caused a kill. The AMS
application can be adapted to enable the gamer to select a
different GUI that enables the user to visualize a gaming action
result for each stimulus of the macro to determine how effective
the macro was in performing the kill, and whether further
adjustments of the macro might improve the gamer's performance.
[0094] In one embodiment, the AMS application can be adapted to
present more or less competitive information than is shown in FIGS.
10-11. In one embodiment, for example, the AMS application can be
adapted to present competitive information without the virtual
peripherals. In one example, the AMS application can be adapted to
present scrollable pages of competitive information with or without
the virtual peripherals. In another illustration, the AMS
application can be adapted to present competitive information
without a viewing of the game or the gamer. Other variants of
presenting competitive information or other data shown in FIGS.
10-11 are contemplated by the subject disclosure.
[0095] The foregoing embodiments are a subset of possible
embodiments contemplated by the subject disclosure. Other suitable
modifications can be applied to the subject disclosure.
[0096] FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of
a machine in the form of a computer system 1500 within which a set
of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform
any one or more of the methods discussed above. One or more
instances of the machine can operate as any of devices depicted in
FIGS. 1-3, and FIG. 15. In some embodiments, the machine may be
connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked
deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or
a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or
as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network
environment.
[0097] The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user
computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network
router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set
of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to
be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a
communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any
electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.
Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine"
shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that
individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of
instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed
herein.
[0098] The computer system 1500 may include a processor 1502 (e.g.,
a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,
or both), a main memory 1504 and a static memory 1506, which
communicate with each other via a bus 1508. The computer system
1500 may further include a video display unit 1510 (e.g., a liquid
crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display. The
computer system 1500 may include an input device 1512 (e.g., a
keyboard), a cursor control device 1514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk
drive unit 1516, a signal generation device 1518 (e.g., a speaker
or remote control) and a network interface device 1520.
[0099] The disk drive unit 1516 may include a tangible
machine-readable storage medium 1522 on which is stored one or more
sets of instructions (e.g., software 1524) embodying any one or
more of the methods or functions described herein, including those
methods illustrated above. The instructions 1524 may also reside,
completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1504, the
static memory 1506, and/or within the processor 1502 during
execution thereof by the computer system 1500. The main memory 1504
and the processor 1502 also may constitute tangible
machine-readable storage media.
[0100] Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not
limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable
logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed
to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may
include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly
include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some
embodiments implement functions in two or more specific
interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and
data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the
example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware
implementations.
[0101] In accordance with various embodiments of the subject
disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation
as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore,
software implementations can include, but not limited to,
distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,
parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be
constructed to implement the methods described herein.
[0102] While the tangible machine-readable storage medium 1522 is
shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"tangible machine-readable storage medium" should be taken to
include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or
distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that
store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "tangible
machine-readable storage medium" shall also be taken to include any
non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set
of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the
machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject
disclosure.
[0103] The term "tangible machine-readable storage medium" shall
accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state
memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or
more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or
other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical
medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be
used to store information. Accordingly, the disclosure is
considered to include any one or more of a tangible
machine-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including
art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the
software implementations herein are stored.
[0104] Although the present specification describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited
to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet
and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP,
UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.
Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more
efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range
communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), and long-range
communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplated for
use by computer system 1300.
[0105] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of
various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a
complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus
and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.
Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the
art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be
utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical
substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the
scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational
and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be
exaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, the
specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
[0106] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the
specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover
any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.
Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not
specifically described herein, are contemplated by the subject
disclosure.
[0107] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing
Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are
grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments
require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.
Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter
lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.
Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately
claimed subject matter.
* * * * *