A system and method for therapeutic stimulation using virtual objects and gamification, in which multi-modality stimulus is applied using some combination of virtual elements, attention is enhanced by virtue of the user's active participation, and long-term use is encouraged by virtue of the entertaining nature of the gamification. Depending on configuration, the system and method may comprise a display comprising virtual objects, a light-producing device (other than the display), an audio-producing device such as speakers or headphones, a haptic feedback device such as a vibratory motor, a means for monitoring the user's attention, and a software application which applies therapeutic stimulation using some combination of the display, the light-producing device, the audio-producing device, and the haptic feedback device.

Methods and apparatus for use in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system are presented. A method performed by a network node in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system is presenting in an example embodiment. According to this example method, a network node or a plurality of network nodes working collaboratively can obtain data captured by one or more IoT devices and associated with an interactive activity with which different participants interface at different sites. Furthermore, the network node(s) may determine a state of the activity by applying the data to a data model. Moreover, the network node(s) can, in an example method, provide one or more feedback signals to feedback devices associated with one or more of the different sites to actualize the determined state of the activity, where at least two of the different sites have disparate, meaning non-identical, feedback device sets.

Methods and apparatus for use in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system are presented. A method performed by a network node in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system is presenting in an example embodiment. According to this example method, a network node or a plurality of network nodes working collaboratively can obtain data captured by one or more IoT devices and associated with an interactive activity with which different participants interface at different sites. Furthermore, the network node(s) may determine a state of the activity by applying the data to a data model. Moreover, the network node(s) can, in an example method, provide one or more feedback signals to feedback devices associated with one or more of the different sites to actualize the determined state of the activity, where at least two of the different sites have disparate, meaning non-identical, feedback device sets.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an accessory having a plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, a plurality of light sources, wherein each light source emits a controllable spectrum of light through a corresponding one of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and a controller coupled to the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and the plurality of light sources. The controller can be operable to detect tactile contact of each of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, receive status information associated with a video game, and adjust the spectrum of light emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources according to the status information to indicate one or more aspects of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an accessory having a plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, a plurality of light sources, wherein each light source emits a controllable spectrum of light through a corresponding one of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and a controller coupled to the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and the plurality of light sources. The controller can be operable to detect tactile contact of each of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, receive status information associated with a video game, and adjust the spectrum of light emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources according to the status information to indicate one or more aspects of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Techniques to synchronize changes in physical and virtual environments. An environmental change that will occur during a specified playback event within an interactive game is determined. An amount of time sufficient to permit an environmental device to effect a desired change in the physical environment before the specified playback event occurs is determined. The environmental device is controlled based on the amount of time, to effect the desired change synchronously with the environmental change.

Techniques to synchronize changes in physical and virtual environments. An environmental change that will occur during a specified playback event within an interactive game is determined. An amount of time sufficient to permit an environmental device to effect a desired change in the physical environment before the specified playback event occurs is determined. The environmental device is controlled based on the amount of time, to effect the desired change synchronously with the environmental change.

There is provided an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that make it possible to control a communication partner without losing a sense of immersion and without impairing a VR world view in communication between players in (virtual reality) VR. A range in which another player capable of recognizing a content spoken by a player is present is determined as an utterance range on the basis of context information. In the following, since the spoken information is transmitted only to the player who is confirmed as the utterance range, it is possible to control the partner at the time of utterance by the context information. The present disclosure is able to be applied to an information processing device.

An interactive exercise system includes a mechanical support system and a display module held by the mechanical support system. At least one force-controlled component is engageable by a user and connected to the mechanical support system, with the force-controlled component configure to reduce force when applied user force is great enough to cause tip-over or unwanted movement of the mechanical support system. The force-controlled component can be graspable by a user and allows for a range of exercise types and programs.

An interactive exercise system includes a mechanical support system and a display module held by the mechanical support system. At least one force-controlled component is engageable by a user and connected to the mechanical support system, with the force-controlled component configure to reduce force when applied user force is great enough to cause tip-over or unwanted movement of the mechanical support system. The force-controlled component can be graspable by a user and allows for a range of exercise types and programs.