Abstract: A method is provided for trading virtual goods. A game environment is provided in which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good. This virtual good has a starting value. At least one rating of the virtual good is received from a second player via the game environment. The starting value is automatically increased or decreased as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good. The virtual good is then made available for purchase at the new value. A system for trading virtual goods is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling gameplay with a character in a game environment on a mobile device. In the game environment, a player can play a game via a character. When there is an expectation of action from the character in the game, a touch gesture input is received on the mobile device. The fidelity of the touch gesture input is calculated with reference to an optimal gesture in a reference gesture table. If the fidelity is within a predefined range associated with the optimal gesture, the touch gesture input is matched to the optimal gesture and an associated game script is called wherein the character would be shown as having successfully completed the expectation.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a body part in a video stream from a mobile device. A video stream of a human subject is received from a camera connected to the mobile device. The video stream has frames. A first frame of the video stream is identified for processing. This first frame is then partitioned into observation windows, each observation window having pixels. In each observation window, non-skin-toned pixels are eliminated; and the remaining pixels are compared to determine a degree of entropy of the pixels in the observation window. In any observation window having a degree of entropy above a predetermined threshold, a bounded area is made around the region of high entropy pixels. The consistency of the entropy is analyzed in the bounded area. If the bounded area has inconsistently high entropy, a body part is determined to be detected at that bounded area.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. A game environment is provided in which a player can play a game via a character. When the player scans a barcode from a real world object, a virtual object is retrieved based on the barcode input. The player's character can then own or interact with the virtual object in the game environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling user interaction with virtual objects in a virtual world using a touchscreen device. A touch input within or across a region of the display is detected from the touchscreen device. After determining that the touch input exceeds a predetermined threshold, and further determining whether the touch input is of a single touch or multi-touch type based on a number of contacts detected in the touch input, a multi-touch type input is interpreted as a multi-touch attract or repel command with respect to a virtual object displayed on the display. The virtual object is then visibly moved or changed on the display in response.

Abstract: A method is provided for trading virtual goods. A game environment is provided in which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good. This virtual good has a starting value. At least one rating of the virtual good is received from a second player via the game environment. The starting value is automatically increased or decreased as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good. The virtual good is then made available for purchase at the new value. A system for trading virtual goods is also provided.

Abstract: Interactive multiplayer augmented reality game play is enhanced in a mobile device used in such game play by establishing a virtual world coordinate system based on one or more game conventions and by reducing device sensor error before, during or after game play using one or more such game conventions.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay with a character in a game environment. A game environment is provided in which a player can play a game via a character. The player's geographic location is detected and stored. In response to the detected geographic location, a storyline is retrieved for the character to interact with. The retrieved storyline is related to the geographic location of the player.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing virtual gameplay with a virtual character in a game environment. A character customization facility is provided within the game environment in which a player can set or select starting attributes for a virtual character, and set or select a graphical avatar of the virtual character. Related gameplay statistics and accumulated gameplay property are stored for the virtual character. The player selects which elements of the starting attributes, the graphical avatar, the gameplay statistics and the gameplay property should be signature elements transferrable with the virtual character beyond the first game in the game environment. Supported signature elements are carried over to a second game.

Abstract: A method is provided of virtual gameplay with linked characters in a game environment. In an interactive game environment, a request is received to link a first player character with a second character. If it is determined that the first player character is qualified to be linked with the second character, a link is created between the first player character and the second character. The actions of the linked characters are then monitored in the game environment, and statistics are stored for at least the first player character. At least one statistic of the second character can be automatically increased or decreased as a function of at least one of the stored statistics.

Abstract: A motion driven user interface for a mobile device is described which provides a user with the ability to cause execution of user interface input commands by physically moving the mobile device in space. The mobile device uses embedded sensors to identify its motion which causes execution of a corresponding user interface input command. Further, the command to be executed can vary depending upon the operating context of the mobile device.

Abstract: A motion-driven user interface for mobile device-based augmented reality applications is described which provides a user with the ability to execute user interface input commands by physically manipulating the mobile device in space. The mobile device uses embedded sensors to identify the type and extent of the manipulation which cause execution of a corresponding user interface input command which can vary depending upon the operating context of the mobile device.

Abstract: Interactive multiplayer augmented reality game play is enhanced in a mobile device used in such game play by establishing a virtual world coordinate system based on one or more game conventions and by reducing device sensor error before, during or after game play using one or more such game conventions.