A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. One or more optional auxiliary components modularly attach to the input device to selectively create a modified input device having different desired functions or aesthetics.

An arcade gaming device includes a box container with one or more transparent walls and multiple transparent vertical separators that create vertical channels within the box container. Each channel can convey a ball from top to bottom. A movable rack with a handle is slidable by a player to interfere with each ball's downward path. Preferably, the movable rack has projections from it to be used by a player to impact the balls to slow their downward path. Each channel has downwardly sloped planar ramps which slow and convey each ball along a zig-zag or back and forth path within each channel in the box container. The arcade gaming device preferably contains an elevator to move each ball from the bottom of the box container to their drop point, preferably at the top of the box container.

A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional lighting element emits a light signal or pattern that can be sensed by an external sensor or camera to interpret one or more movements or gestures made using the input device.

A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions for conducting a game on a gaming system having a wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.

A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.

Provided is a system that includes an interactive casing and a GR device. The interactive casing receives a first signal based on activation of a masked electrical switch by release of a magnetic assertion when a lid member of an interactive casing is disengaged from a base member of the interactive casing. A first system state of the interactive casing is converted to a second system state. Audio-visual feedback is generated and a second signal is communicated to the GR device based on the conversion. Based on the received second signal, a first device state of the GR device is converted to a second device state. Power levels of a first power storage device of the interactive casing and a second power storage device of the GR device are maintained during the first system state and the first device state, respectively.

A gesture-recognition (GR) device is disclosed that includes a capacitive touch sensor panel and a controller. The capacitive touch sensor panel comprises a plurality of sensing pads arranged in a cylindrical pattern inside a handle of the GR device and detects a multi-factor touch assertion at a set of sensing pads of the plurality of sensing pads. The controller transmits a driving signal to each of the plurality of sensing pads for the detection of the multi-factor touch assertion, generates an assertion signal, determines a signal sequence based on the assertion signal, and converts a current inactive state of the GR device to an active state based on a validation of the determined signal sequence corresponding to the multi-factor touch assertion and an inferred user intent.

An adaptive checker piece for facilitating gripping and manipulation of the checker piece comprising a round main body and a gripping leaf extending therefrom. The gripping leaf forms a segment of a cone spanning an angular range , and the gripping leaf is angled outwardly relative to a central axis of the main body at an angle . A round upper platform projects concentrically from the main body but with a smaller diameter whereby an upper raceway is formed. The gripping leaf projects from the main body from a position laterally outward of the upper raceway. A lower toroid projects concentrically from a lower portion of the main body and is sized to receive an upper platform of a second adaptive checker piece in an interference fit. Multiple checker pieces can be stacked to make king pieces and for storage despite the presence of the gripping leaf.

A maze game includes a rollable object (101) such as a marble, a tiltable base platform (102), and a plurality of tiles (110,112,114,116,120). Each tile has a respective tenon (300b,356) configured to be inserted into any mortise (124) of selectable positions on the base platform. Each tile has a top surface with a respective recess (304,312,322,332,342,352) or shape therein forming a path segment for the marble. An alignment of a first recess or shape on a first tile with a second recess or shape on a second tile adjacent to the first tile forms at least a portion of a continuous path (106) for rolling of the marble. A player can tilt the tiltable base platform (102) to guide the marble along the continuous path.