Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that determines a pattern for a mouse pad, wherein the mouse pad comprises an electronic paper display and a processor and transmits the pattern to the mouse pad to enable the processor to present the pattern on the electronic paper display. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor to detect a gaming accessory stimulation associated with a programmable layer of a number of programmable layers. The processor identifies a substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers of the gaming accessory. The substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer is associated with the gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers, according to a user profile of a number of user profiles associated with a user account. Other predetermined associations of stimulations of the gaming accessory with other substitute accessory stimulations are recorded in other user profiles of the number of user profiles, and the substitute gaming accessory stimulation is provided to a computing device to manage a gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for determining a current performance of a gamer during a first gaming session of a gaming application, where the performance is determined from a first plurality of stimulus signals generated by a gaming accessory during the first gaming session according to a configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory, identifying a prior performance of the gamer during a prior gaming session of the gaming application, where the prior performance is determined from a second plurality of stimulus signals generated by the gaming accessory according to the configuration setting, comparing the current performance to the prior performance to determine a change in performance of the gamer, and adjusting the configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory according to the change in the performance of the gamer. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions and to a near field sensor. Execution of the instructions can cause the processor to perform operations including defining a zone corresponding to a portion of an accessory comprising the sensor, detecting a gesture of an object in the zone by sensing the object with the sensor, determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously associated with the zone and not previously associated with a gaming action controlling presentations produced by a gaming application, associating the gesture with the zone and with the gaming action, subsequently detecting the gesture in the zone, obtaining the gaming action associated with the gesture, and transmitting the gaming action to the gaming application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a game stimulus signal generated by a first gaming accessory device, determining a first game action result based on the game stimulus signal, analyzing the first game action result to provide a first coaching message to achieve a desired result, and presenting the coaching message. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system employs bioinformatics to improve gamer performance and enhance the gaming experience. The gaming system monitors biometrics of gamers using gaming accessories having sensors coupled to the gaming accessories (e.g., a mouse with pulse sensor). Biometrics can be used to assess a crisis or panic reaction of the gamer. The system can also assess the state of the game in real time via API feedback, and coach the player on how best to regain control. The system can also predict a gamer's loss of control by monitoring hardware statistics associated with the game, combined with gaming feedback and biometric data, and can determine how best to coach the player to correct problems. Predictive models can be used to predict a gamer's panic attack or loss of control before it occurs. When a crisis occurs, the system can automatically contact the gamer's teammates to assist the gamer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that determines a pattern for a mouse pad, wherein the mouse pad comprises an electronic paper display and a processor and transmits the pattern to the mouse pad to enable the processor to present the pattern on the electronic paper display. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor to detect a gaming accessory stimulation associated with a programmable layer of a number of programmable layers. The processor identifies a substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers of the gaming accessory. The substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer is associated with the gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers, according to a user profile of a number of user profiles associated with a user account. Other predetermined associations of stimulations of the gaming accessory with other substitute accessory stimulations are recorded in other user profiles of the number of user profiles, and the substitute gaming accessory stimulation is provided to a computing device to manage a gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to present a plurality of associable actions and a plurality of accessories of distinct operational types, associate an action with an input function of a select one of the plurality of accessories, monitor the selected accessory for a stimulation of the input function, and transmit the action to an operating system to launch a first software application or to convey to a second software application the action or an aspect of the action. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for determining a current performance of a gamer during a first gaming session of a gaming application, where the performance is determined from a first plurality of stimulus signals generated by a gaming accessory during the first gaming session according to a configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory, identifying a prior performance of the gamer during a prior gaming session of the gaming application, where the prior performance is determined from a second plurality of stimulus signals generated by the gaming accessory according to the configuration setting, comparing the current performance to the prior performance to determine a change in performance of the gamer, and adjusting the configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory according to the change in the performance of the gamer. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to modify sound produced by a gaming application according to an otological profile of a user. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions and to a near field sensor. Execution of the instructions can cause the processor to perform operations including defining a zone corresponding to a portion of an accessory comprising the sensor, detecting a gesture of an object in the zone by sensing the object with the sensor, determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously associated with the zone and not previously associated with a gaming action controlling presentations produced by a gaming application, associating the gesture with the zone and with the gaming action, subsequently detecting the gesture in the zone, obtaining the gaming action associated with the gesture, and transmitting the gaming action to the gaming application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, device may perform operations for receiving a signal from an operational space associated with an accessory device, determining hand feature information according to the signal, accessing device location information associated with the computing accessory device, generating hand-device interaction information according to the hand feature information and device location information associated with the accessory device, and transmitting the hand-device interaction information to a virtual reality system, wherein the virtual reality system generates, according to the hand-device interaction information, a virtual hand and a virtual accessory device in a virtual reality image. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that incorporate teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, presenting at a display of a computer device a first graphical user interface depicting a game space of a gaming application, receiving a detected stimulation from a mobile communication device associated with a second graphical user interface depicting a virtual peripheral controller for capturing control information for controlling the gaming application, detecting a request to swap between the computer device and mobile communication device presentation of the first graphical user interface depicting the game space and the second graphical user interface depicting the virtual peripheral controller, and presenting at the display of the computer device an adaptation of the second graphical user interface depicting the virtual peripheral controller responsive to the detected request to swap. Additional embodiments are disclosed.