A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Systems, devices, and methods are presented for segmenting an image of a video stream with a client device by receiving one or more images depicting an object of interest and determining pixels within the one or more images corresponding to the object of interest. The systems, devices, and methods identify a position of a portion of the object of interest and determine a direction for the portion of the object of interest. Based on the direction of the portion of the object of interest, a histogram threshold is dynamically modified for identifying pixels as corresponding to the portion of the object of interest. The portion of the object of interest is replaced with a graphical interface element aligned with the direction of the portion of the object of interest.

Systems, devices, and methods are presented for segmenting an image of a video stream with a client device by receiving one or more images depicting an object of interest and determining pixels within the one or more images corresponding to the object of interest. The systems, devices, and methods identify a position of a portion of the object of interest and determine a direction for the portion of the object of interest. Based on the direction of the portion of the object of interest, a histogram threshold is dynamically modified for identifying pixels as corresponding to the portion of the object of interest. The portion of the object of interest is replaced with a graphical interface element aligned with the direction of the portion of the object of interest.

A personalisation system configured to perform head mounted display personalisation comprises a head mounted display ‘HMD’ includes: at least a first video camera, a simultaneous localization and mapping processor configured to detect feature points of a real world environment captured by the at least first video camera when the HMD is worn by a user, a user identification processor configured to identify the user responsive to at least a subset of the detected feature points of the real world environment, a personalisation processor configured to personalise at least a first aspect of presenting graphical content to the user with the HMD in response to identification of the user, and a storage processor operable to store, in a memory, personalisation information in association with the identification of the user for subsequent use.

A personalisation system configured to perform head mounted display personalisation comprises a head mounted display ‘HMD’ includes: at least a first video camera, a simultaneous localization and mapping processor configured to detect feature points of a real world environment captured by the at least first video camera when the HMD is worn by a user, a user identification processor configured to identify the user responsive to at least a subset of the detected feature points of the real world environment, a personalisation processor configured to personalise at least a first aspect of presenting graphical content to the user with the HMD in response to identification of the user, and a storage processor operable to store, in a memory, personalisation information in association with the identification of the user for subsequent use.

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a device comprising a processor, a first signal from a motion-sensitive component of the device; receiving, by the device, a second signal from a touch-sensitive interface of the device, detecting, by the device, from a combined signal comprising the first signal and the second signal, a selection of a portion of the device; and causing, by the device, a sensory feedback generator to provide a feedback signal in accordance with the combined signal. The feedback signal may comprise an audible sound, a visual effect, a tactile effect, or any combination thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a device comprising a processor, a first signal from a motion-sensitive component of the device; receiving, by the device, a second signal from a touch-sensitive interface of the device, detecting, by the device, from a combined signal comprising the first signal and the second signal, a selection of a portion of the device; and causing, by the device, a sensory feedback generator to provide a feedback signal in accordance with the combined signal. The feedback signal may comprise an audible sound, a visual effect, a tactile effect, or any combination thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the present invention allow a touch screen device to operate as a gamepad for a video game running on a separate gaming device. Aspects of the present invention provide a virtual control interface through the touch screen that includes virtual game controls that perform the same function as a directional pad, buttons, triggers, and sticks found on a gamepad or other game controller. In one aspect, the virtual control interface provides an output that is substantially similar to an output generated by a gamepad able to interact with the gaming device. Substantially similar outputs allow a gaming device to respond to a functional control from a gamepad and an equivalent functional control from the virtual control interface the same way and without translation. Aspects of the present invention can provide different virtual control interfaces for different video game titles, different genres, and based on user customization.

Aspects of the present invention allow a touch screen device to operate as a gamepad for a video game running on a separate gaming device. Aspects of the present invention provide a virtual control interface through the touch screen that includes virtual game controls that perform the same function as a directional pad, buttons, triggers, and sticks found on a gamepad or other game controller. In one aspect, the virtual control interface provides an output that is substantially similar to an output generated by a gamepad able to interact with the gaming device. Substantially similar outputs allow a gaming device to respond to a functional control from a gamepad and an equivalent functional control from the virtual control interface the same way and without translation. Aspects of the present invention can provide different virtual control interfaces for different video game titles, different genres, and based on user customization.

A controller device includes a controller body with an interface port and least one control information output port. A modular input control is removably attachable to the controller body. The modular input control includes an interface connector region that is configured to communicatively couple the modular input control to the interface port. The modular input control is configured to be freely rotatable when attached to the controller body and operable in any orientation about the axis of rotation.