Abstract: A method of automating application program operation in a visual display ecosystem is implemented with use of a smart device communicating with the visual display ecosystem through a short-range wireless bidirectional communication link. The method entails user creation of a display spatial data template in the visual display ecosystem and storage of the display spatial data template in the smart device located outside the visual display ecosystem. The user creates the display spatial data template in real time during application program operation by manipulating an input device connected to a command processing device on which the application program is operating. The user can retrieve the stored display spatial data template during application program operation at a later time. The system is advantageous in that the storage and retrieval of the display spatial data template makes minimal use of ecosystem resources, including processing power, bandwidth capacity, and display screen real estate.

Abstract: A system includes a visual display ecosystem and a smart device communicating with each other through a short-range wireless bidirectional communication link. The system enables user creation of a display spatial data template in the visual display ecosystem and storage of the display spatial data template in the smart device located outside the visual display ecosystem. The user creates the display spatial data template in real time during application program operation by manipulating an input device connected to a command processing device on which the application program is operating. The user can retrieve the stored display spatial data template during application program operation at a later time. The system is advantageous in that the storage and retrieval of the display spatial data template makes minimal use of the ecosystem resources, including processing power, bandwidth capacity, and display screen real estate.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a video game play ecosystem (12) and a smart device (14) communicating with each other through a short-range wireless bidirectional communication link (16). The system enables user creation of a display spatial data template in the video game play ecosystem and storage of the display spatial data template in the smart device located outside the video game play ecosystem. The user creates the display spatial data template in real time during game play by manipulating an input device (18) connected to a command processing device (20) on which the video game is operating. The user can retrieve the stored display spatial data template during game play at a later time. The system is advantageous in that the storage and retrieval of the display spatial data template makes minimal use of the ecosystem resources, including processing power, bandwidth capacity, and display screen real estate.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's creative design preferences.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's creative design preferences.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Abstract: A video game controller for manipulating images or symbols on an image display comprises an activity counter that produces a cumulative record corresponding to a measure of game player usage of the video game controller over multiple sessions of game play. An information display located on the video game controller housing and operatively associated with the activity counter provides a readout of the cumulative record produced.

Abstract: An outerwear garment composed of a body having a neckline and a collar includes a collar accessory that includes front and back regions of material joined to the body of the outerwear garment in proximity to the neckline. The collar accessory has an interior space of changeable volume between the front and back regions. An elongated inflatable air cushion is positioned within the interior space. The air cushion expands into the interior space and assumes a tubular shape to support at least one of the neck and head of the wearer when the air cushion is in an inflated state. The air cushion includes a valve stem through which the wearer can deliver pressurized air to inflate the air cushion to its inflated state or from which the wearer can expel air to flatten the air cushion to its non-inflated state.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Abstract: A cushioned attachment (30) for a user-manipulatable actuator (12) of a controller device (10) provides extra support and comfort for the user (60). A preferred embodiment is a joystick thumb cushion that fits over a conventional joystick actuator of a video game controller.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pressure sensing controller implement grip and pressure sensing, as well as standard input control actuation, to provide control input by a user. The disclosed grip and pressure sensing control can be implemented in hand-held game controllers, control devices for appliances, cellular telephones, and any other type of devices that require control input. In the case of an existing control device with predefined control output, user programming of input settings to define command extensions allows extended gripping and pressure control input to be combined within the capable existing control outputs of the device.

Abstract: A cushioned attachment (30) for a user-manipulatable actuator (12) of a controller device (10) provides extra support and comfort for the user (60). A preferred embodiment is a joystick thumb cushion that fits over a conventional joystick actuator of a video game controller.

Abstract: A configurable manual controller (10, 140) for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements (122) arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized shape and ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Abstract: A compartmented multiple-item carrying case (10) adapted for construction of configurable dividers (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) is formed with matable building elements (82, 84, 86) arranged by a user to provide interior compartments (40, 42, 44, 46) of customized shapes and sizes. User configurable interior compartments enable efficient item placement and storage because the items a user desires to carry at a given time can differ in size and shape.

Abstract: A manual controller operates through a wireless communication link with a computing device to manipulate images or symbols on a display associated with the computing device. An electrical power conserving system allows such a wireless controller to conserve electrical power as the controller operates with electrical power supplied by replaceable batteries or rechargeable battery packs. In preferred embodiments, electronic manual-contact sensing circuitry enables more rapid turnoff of the controller during periods of game play inactivity. This eliminates a long timeout period and allows electrical current drain only when the controller is actually being held by a user. Preferred embodiments of the electronic manual-contact sensing circuitry detect electrical resistance of a user's hands and thereby enables delivery of different amounts of electrical power as required.

Abstract: A system and method expand game action functionality of a portable game system in which user manipulation of a stylus contributes to control of game action in the operation of two-handed game play. The stylus is equipped with one or more control actuators that are integrally associated with (i.e., positioned on or in) the stylus to respond to manipulation by the user to control game action. One or more game action functions are selected and implemented for control by the number of the stylus-equipped control actuators. The game action functions include one or both of game action functions caused by actuation of the number of first and second control actuator devices and other, additional game action functions. The selected game action functions expand practicable game action functionality of the portable game system by enabling use of the user's hand manipulating the stylus to cause performance of one or more game action functions.