Abstract: Operating a game controller to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input.

Abstract: Operating a game controller by setting initial operational parameters of at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch sensitive pad has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. Touch pad input is received from the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing. Upon meeting an operational parameter alteration condition, the operational parameters of the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller are altered.

Abstract: Operating a gaming system having a game console and a game controller by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller to produce partially processed touch pad input and transmitted from the game controller to the game console via communications interfaces of the game controller and the game console. The game console processes the at least partially processed touch pad input to produce game alteration data. The at least one corresponding game operation is altered based upon the game alteration data.

Abstract: Operating a game controller by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and the at least partially processed touch pad input is transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for use as gaming input. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by determining hand/foot position, changes in hand/foot position, hand grip/foot pressure, changes in hand grip/foot pressure based upon the touch pad input.

Abstract: Operating a user input device by scanning touch sensitive elements of a touch pad to measure touch sensitive element values. The touch sensitive element values are compared to a stylus input threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a stylus input condition is determined, stylus input touch pad processing settings are enacted, and a position of the stylus upon the touch pad is detected. Detection of the stylus position upon the touch pad is based upon the touch sensitive element values and the stylus input touch pad processing settings. The touch sensitive element values are compared to a touching finger threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a touching finger condition is determined, touching finger touch pad processing settings are enacted, and the touching finger's position upon the touch pad is detected based upon the touch sensitive element values.

Abstract: Operating a game controller to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input.