Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a modular game accessory to play a video game. A smart toy is presented that can be reconfigured by the player on the fly while playing the video game by adding and removing modules. When the smart toy is reconfigured, the capabilities of the player's in-game avatar are modified accordingly. In this way, the smart toy exists as a hybrid of a physical toy and video game avatar. Modules for modifying the smart toy can represent components and crew of the vehicle represented by the smart toy, and different modules can offer different capabilities to the in-game avatar.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and system for cross-platform input data unification. According to some embodiments, a first input data is received from a first input device connected to a first platform. The input data is converted to a standard action. The standard action is transmitted to a second platform capable of determining a relationship between the standard action and a second input device associated with the second platform. The second platform can use the input data to trigger an action associated with the standard action in the application or gaming environment.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: Media are provided for performing methods of allocating tasks among computation resources in an optimal or near-optimal fashion. A method is disclosed for doing so which comprises the steps of receiving a request to instantiate a service which includes a task specification for that service; for each available computation resource, calculating a time metric for the specified task on the computation resource which incorporates a computation time and a transfer time; determining a computation resource based on the time metric calculated for each of the computation resources; selecting a bundle based on the service to be instantiated; and transmitting a message to a launcher running on the chosen computation resource that causes the launcher to instantiate the service on the chosen computation resource from the selected bundle.

Abstract: Systems and method for selectively applying blinders to remove high peripheral optical flow from three-dimensional imagery. When users experience visual cues corresponding to motion in virtual reality without corresponding non-visual clues (such as cues from the vestibular system), motion sickness can result. Peripheral optic flow is a particularly strong visual cue associated with motion. However, unconditionally removing peripheral imagery significantly reduces user immersion. Embodiments of the invention can selectively apply peripheral blinders to remove high peripheral optic flow and add non-visual motion cues (such as directional audio) corresponding to the virtual motion to reduce or eliminate the disconnect that can cause motion sickness.

Abstract: An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and system for participating in interactive events includes a personal input executing an event application, a client device coupled to a display and executing a display application, and a server executing a server application. The display application receives a request from a player to participate in an event, receives the event from the server application, shows the event on the display, and determines an event start time corresponding to a time at which the start of the event is shown on the display. The event application receives sensor data from a sensor, compares the sensor data to reference data to generate a score, forms a plurality of packets containing the score, and transmits the packets. The server application transmits the event to the display application, receives the score from the event application, and transmits the score to the display application.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and system for participating in interactive events, such as a massive multiplayer game, includes a personal input executing an event application, a client device coupled to a display and executing a display application, and a server executing a server application. The display application is configured to receive a request from a player to participate in an event, receive the event from the server application, show the event on the display, and determine an event start time corresponding to a time at which the start of the event is shown on the display. The event application is configured to receive sensor data from a sensor, form a plurality of packets, and transmit the packets. The server application is configured to transmit the event to the display application, receive the sensor data from the event application, and compare the sensor data to reference data to generate a score.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and system for participating in interactive events includes a personal input executing an event application, a client device coupled to a display and executing a display application, and a server executing a server application. The display application receives a request from a player to participate in an event, receives the event from the server application, shows the event on the display, and determines an event start time corresponding to a time at which the start of the event is shown on the display. The event application receives sensor data from a sensor, compares the sensor data to reference data to generate a score, forms a plurality of packets containing the score, and transmits the packets. The server application transmits the event to the display application, receives the score from the event application, and transmits the score to the display application.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.

Abstract: An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: A game system comprises a computer manager system adapted to manage gaming activity of one or more players, a transceiver in operative communication with the computer manager system and one or more transponders or transponder/receptor units in operative communication with the transceiver. Each transponder/receptor unit includes a transponder and a receptor. The transceiver is adapted to enable wireless communication between each transponder or transponder/receptor unit and the computer manager system within a distance that is within a range detectable by said transponder/receptor units and the computer manager system.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: A game system comprises a computer manager system adapted to manage gaming activity of one or more players, a transceiver in operative communication with the computer manager system and one or more transponders or transponder/receptor units in operative communication with the transceiver. Each transponder/receptor unit includes a transponder and a receptor. The transceiver is adapted to enable wireless communication between each transponder or transponder/receptor unit and the computer manager system within a distance that is within a range detectable by said transponder/receptor units and the computer manager system.