Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller attachment apparatus is provided configured to adapt a game controller having a battery compartment with a cover into a firearm-shaped game controller, the controller attachment apparatus comprising: a body; and a grip attached to and extending away from a rear section of the body; wherein the body comprises a cradle having a clip, the cradle configured to accept the game controller, the clip configured to selectively retain the game controller, and the cradle and clip further configured to attach to the game controller in place of the cover.

Abstract: A method of filtering noise in a three-dimensional position measurement system comprising receiving distance data representative of the respective distances between at least four spatially dispersed known points and an unknown point, performing triangulation calculations to determine at least two solutions to the three dimensional position of the unknown point relative to the known points, calculating a symmetrical bounding surface such as a sphere or cube which just encloses the said solutions, comparing the maximum dimension of the bounding surface with a first predetermined error threshold, and if the maximum dimension is less than the first error threshold, determining the center position of the bounding surface and outputting the center position as a noise-filtered position for the unknown point.

Abstract: A position sensing system enabling dynamic adjustment of the sensing by dynamically adjusting amplifier gain or comparator thresholds in response to received signals. The system compares the time a signal takes to travel from a transmitter in a mobile component to a plurality of receivers in a fixed component and, adjusts the amplifier gain or comparator thresholds if the difference in times measured by the receivers is large or at least one receiver does not detect a signal.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the invention provides a method for establishing communication between a computer program in a computing system and a controller held in a hand of a user, comprising: capturing image data in a capture area in front of a display, the capturing configured to identify a two-dimensional location of the controller in the capture area; and capturing one-way sound communication between a location proximate to the display and a location at the controller, the sound communication being used to compute a third-dimensional location of the controller in the capture area.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a controller attachment apparatus is provided, comprising: a handle portion configured to accept and hold a controller; and an attachment portion affixed to the handle portion such that it allows a covering to be diposed over the handle portion once the controller is placed into the handle portion. For such an embodiment, the attachment portion may be in the shape of a sporting good or a weapon. For example, with respect to sporting goods, the attachment portion may take the shape of a tennis racket, paddle tennis racket, golf club, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, or fishing rod. Alternatively, with respect to weapons, the head portion may take the shape of a sword, dagger, blade, a light saber, a gun, or a phaser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating special effect are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving an input information from a game controller; generating an output data set based on the input information received by the game controller at a game console; transmitting the output data to a stage kit; and generating special effects at the stage kit based on the output data received from the game console.