A system, method, and graphical user interface for playing games and/or executing applications on a tablet-based client. One embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI) for playing a video game on a tablet-based client device comprises: a virtual controller rendered on a display of the tablet computer, the virtual controller substantially mimicking the control provided by a thumb stick of a physical game controller and providing omnidirectional, free-form movement in a synchronous direction in which a user moves a finger on the display of the tablet-based client.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing a physical training routine for a user are disclosed. One such method may include displaying a visual indicator indicating a movement to be completed by the user and determining whether the user completes the movement. The methods also include recording one or more characteristics of the movement and providing feedback to the user based on the one or more characteristics.

To help a computer game player in understanding a computer game, upon pausing the game, visual subtitles may be presented. In addition, or alternatively, Braille representing subtitles may be output as a series of vibrations on a touch pad of the controller. When the person's finger reaches the edge of the touch pad, a new series of Braille subtitles may be presented. Depending on where the player is in reading the subtitles and how fast the player reads them, the game video may be slowed down from normal speed.

While one type of input, either a mouse input or a joystick input, may be preferred for one type of a game, it may not be preferred, or even compatible, for another type of a game. Introduced herein is a game controller that employs a dedicated input, which is capable of the absolute accuracy of a mouse input or trackball input, but is also capable of measuring how far off center the input is (e.g., how far off center it has moved), and can also return to center when released, as is present in a joystick input. The introduced game controller integrates a touch sensing trackball to enjoy the benefits of both the mouse type input and joystick type input, in a single dedicated input, providing a user freedom to play any type of game without worrying about the compatibility of their game controllers.

The logic of a handheld controller system may use a clustering algorithm to determine which sensors of a touch sensor array, such as capacitive pads, to assign to individual fingers of a user's hand. The clustering algorithm disclosed herein allows for dynamically determining the controller configuration on-the-fly for a given user. An example process includes receiving data generated by a plurality of sensors of a touch sensor array of the handheld controller, generating a covariance matrix that indicates correlations between pairs of sensors, determining a plurality of feature vectors based at least in part on the covariance matrix, each feature vector corresponding to an individual sensor and describing that sensor's correlation(s) with one or more other sensors, clustering the feature vectors using a clustering algorithm, and configuring the touch sensor array according to a controller configuration that assigns sensors to respective fingers of a hand.

A digitizer system comprises at least one object incorporating an electronic tag configured for radiating at least one modulated signal and at least one second signal; a digitizer sensor configured for detecting the at least one second signal while the object is positioned on or over the digitizer sensor; and circuitry configured for identifying the object based on modulation of the at least one modulated signal and for determining a position of the object on or over the digitizer based on the detected second signal on a portion of the digitizer sensor.

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.

Track based play systems are described which comprise a set of physical play pieces and an associated computer game. In an embodiment, a user may arrange some or all of the play pieces in the set to form a path. The computer game is arranged to infer a virtual model of the path defined by the user-created arrangement of the play pieces. The inference may be based on data communicated by one or more the play pieces to the game or based on data from a local sensing device such as a camera which views the relative positions of the play pieces. Having inferred the path, the game constrains a virtual or physical object to the path within the game play and renders a graphical user interface showing at least a portion of the path.

A foot controller for use with a computer having a graphics display. The foot controller includes a foot platform to sense actions of a user's feet, the foot platform including left and right foot pads. Each foot pad includes a toe sensor, a heel sensor, a left-side sensor, and a right-side sensor. Sensor circuits provide a stream of time-based measurements from each foot pad sensor. The foot controller includes a controller circuit to receive signals from each sensor circuit. The foot controller also includes a communication interface to transmit signals from the controller circuit to application software. The foot controller can use standard commands, and can easily be programmed to interface with many types of application software. The foot controller enables the user to use his/her feet to control a computer having a graphics display, thereby providing an addition to, or an alternative to, hand-based interactions with the application software.

Disclosed herein is a flexible sensing interface, comprising: a sensor, comprising: a core; an inner electrode in the form of a conductive material in contact with the core; an inner dielectric material substantially encasing the inner electrode; an outer electrode in the form of a conductive material in contact with the inner dielectric material and in electrical communication with the inner electrode; and an outer dielectric material substantially encasing the outer electrode; wherein the inner dielectric material and the outer dielectric material comprise an elastic material. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for making and using the same.