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.

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.

Provided is a gesture recognition (GR) device that includes a circuit board on which a plurality of light sources are mounted. A first light source is side-mounted at a tip of a second unit of the circuit board, and the set of second light sources is mounted at right angles at top and bottom surfaces of the second unit. A first pair from the set of second light sources is positioned adjacent to the side-mounted first light source. The plurality of light sources are controlled to generate multiple lighting effects for the tip based on assertion signals generated at a first unit of the circuit board. A first lighting effect corresponds to a directional beam generated by the first light source. A set of second lighting effects, which remains unblocked by the side-mounted first light source, corresponds to a multi-color illumination generated by the set of second light sources.

Provided is a gesture-recognition (GR) device that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a controller. The circuit board has an aspect ratio exceeding a threshold value that corresponds to at least a 70 percent difference between length and width of the PCB. The PCB includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit corresponds to a base unit to be grasped by hand of a user. The second unit corresponds to an elongate unit that extends outward from the first unit. The second unit is characterized by a minimal wand form factor. A rigid strength of the second unit is based on at least a shape of an outer shell and a structural attribute of the second unit. The controller controls illumination of a plurality of light sources mounted on the second unit of the circuit board based on assertion signals.

The legless, portable playing surface flips for double-sided play, and includes one or more handles for added portability. The playing surface is sized for space-saving storage when not in use, but large enough to create ample play opportunities.

A method of modifying a non-magnetic surface to become magnetic enables magnetic puzzle pieces to be assembled thereon. The invention also includes the resulting modified article, which may be portable, enabling the magnetic lap desk to be transported from palace to place, including transportation by young children. A magnetic paint or primer is used to convert at least the top surface of the lap desk or other article. A further advantage of the invention is that since a user applies the paint or over-coats, different proprietary colors and/or designs may be achieved.

Provided is a gesture recognition (GR) device that includes a circuit board on which a plurality of light sources are mounted. A first light source is side-mounted at a tip of a second unit of the circuit board, and the set of second light sources is mounted at right angles at top and bottom surfaces of the second unit. A first pair from the set of second light sources is positioned adjacent to the side-mounted first light source. The plurality of light sources are controlled to generate multiple lighting effects for the tip based on assertion signals generated at a first unit of the circuit board. A first lighting effect corresponds to a directional beam generated by the first light source. A set of second lighting effects, which remains unblocked by the side-mounted first light source, corresponds to a multi-color illumination generated by the set of second light sources.

Provided is a gesture-recognition (GR) device that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a controller. The circuit board has an aspect ratio exceeding a threshold value that corresponds to at least a 70 percent difference between length and width of the PCB. The PCB includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit corresponds to a base unit to be grasped by hand of a user. The second unit corresponds to an elongate unit that extends outward from the first unit. The second unit is characterized by a minimal wand form factor. A rigid strength of the second unit is based on at least a shape of an outer shell and a structural attribute of the second unit. The controller controls illumination of a plurality of light sources mounted on the second unit of the circuit board based on assertion signals.

A board game cover. The board game cover includes a planar base and a plurality of sidewalls which extends upwardly from the planar base thereby defining an interior volume. The planar base is adapted to receive a board of a board game thereon. The board game cover further includes a removably securable lid dimensioned to correspond to a perimeter of the plurality of sidewalls. The lid is removably securable to the perimeter of the plurality of sidewalls via corresponding fasteners disposed around the perimeters of the plurality of sidewalls and the perimeter of the lid.

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.