In various embodiments, the motion of a wristband is used to control games.

Methods and apparatus provide for: establishing communications between a controller for operation by a user and a center device, wherein the center device is operable to execute at least one application program and to produce an output for display that is manipulated in accordance with inputs received by the center device from the controller device; measuring one or more pieces of biometric information of the user via a biometric sensor circuit of the controller; storing one or more pieces of predetermined user information, including authentication key information about the user in a memory element of the controller; and performing authentication of the user by comparing the measured biometric information with the predetermined authentication key information via a control circuit of the controller, where authentication is satisfied when the comparison indicates a predetermined threshold of concurrence between the measured biometric information and the predetermined authentication key information.

An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic swipe strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, the game can seamlessly transcend from one play environment and/or entertainment medium to the next.

Methods and apparatus provide for: communicating in respective paired relationships between a network interface and one or more controller devices operated by one or more users, respectively, via wired communication or wireless communication selected by the one or more users; and outputting light emission controls to the paired one or more controller devices, wherein the one or more controller devices each include at least one light emitter that responds to the light emission controls by emitting a selected one of a plurality of colors, outputting a first light emission control to a first of the one or more controller devices that first achieves the paired relationship, and wherein the first light emission control operates to cause a particular first color among the plurality of colors to emit, and outputting a second light emission control to a second of the one or more controller devices that next achieves the paired relationship after the first of the one or more controller devices, and wherein the second light emission control operates to cause a particular second color among the plurality of colors to emit.

An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may log onto the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character's traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.

In various embodiments, the motion of a wristband is used to control games.

A communication section receives a connection request from a game controller to connect the game controller with an information processing apparatus. A registered user information holding section holds biometric information of a user registered in the information processing apparatus. A biometric authentication portion compares biometric information of a user included in a taken image with biometric information held in the registered user information holding section to determine whether the imaged user is a user registered in the information processing apparatus. After the imaged user is found to be a user registered in the information processing apparatus, a login controller executes login processing of the user, or to be more specific, stores information for identifying a device included in the taken image and information for identifying the user into a login user storage portion by relating these items of information with each other.

An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic swipe strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, the game can seamlessly transcend from one play environment and/or entertainment medium to the next.

There is provided a system and method for communicating with a first peripheral device, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitive system that has a processor and a touch surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method additionally includes communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of the first peripheral device.

Methods and apparatus provide for: communicating in respective paired relationships between a network interface and one or more controller devices operated by one or more users, respectively, via wired communication or wireless communication selected by the one or more users; and outputting light emission controls to the paired one or more controller devices, wherein the one or more controller devices each include at least one light emitter that responds to the light emission controls by emitting a selected one of a plurality of colors, outputting a first light emission control to a first of the one or more controller devices that first achieves the paired relationship, and wherein the first light emission control operates to cause a particular first color among the plurality of colors to emit, and outputting a second light emission control to a second of the one or more controller devices that next achieves the paired relationship after the first of the one or more controller devices, and wherein the second light emission control operates to cause a particular second color among the plurality of colors to emit.