Abstract: Control of separate computer game elements is described. In one example, a computer game system displays a computer game to a user, the computer game comprising at least one avatar and an environment. Manual input commands are received from a hand-operated controller operated by the user, and are used to control the display of the avatar in the computer game. Substantially concurrently with the manual input, a stream of images from an image capture device depicting the user is also received. A portal, separate to the avatar, is displayed in a region of the computer game display, which shows the received stream of images to the user. The stream of images of the user is analyzed and a gesture performed by the user is recognized. The recognized gesture is used to control displayed interaction between the portal and the environment.

Abstract: Manual and camera-based avatar control is described for example, in computer game systems. In one embodiment, an image capture system tracks motion of a player's arm holding a real world object and the player also makes input to the game system at the same time, using a manual controller. In an example, tracked motion of a player's arm is used to control aim of a virtual dart in a game display and the player makes manual input at the controller to fire the dart. In various embodiments, position of a part of a player is detected and mapped to screen space using a mapping function which may vary. For example, a mapped position of a player's hand in screen space is used to control the position of an avatar's hand by extending the avatar's arm. In examples, conditions are met before camera-based control of an avatar.

Abstract: Manual and camera-based avatar control is described for example, in computer game systems. In one embodiment, an image capture system tracks motion of a player's arm holding a real world object and the player also makes input to the game system at the same time, using a manual controller. In an example, tracked motion of a player's arm is used to control aim of a virtual dart in a game display and the player makes manual input at the controller to fire the dart. In various embodiments, position of a part of a player is detected and mapped to screen space using a mapping function which may vary. For example, a mapped position of a player's hand in screen space is used to control the position of an avatar's hand by extending the avatar's arm. In examples, conditions are met before camera-based control of an avatar.

Abstract: Control of separate computer game elements is described. In one example, a computer game system displays a computer game to a user, the computer game comprising at least one avatar and an environment. Manual input commands are received from a hand-operated controller operated by the user, and are used to control the display of the avatar in the computer game. Substantially concurrently with the manual input, a stream of images from an image capture device depicting the user is also received. A portal, separate to the avatar, is displayed in a region of the computer game display, which shows the received stream of images to the user. The stream of images of the user is analyzed and a gesture performed by the user is recognized. The recognized gesture is used to control displayed interaction between the portal and the environment.

Abstract: Manual and camera-based game control is described. In one embodiment, a game system receives an image stream depicting a player of a game and also receives manual input from a hand operated controller used by the player. In an example, the manual input may be used to control an avatar and the image stream is used to recognize gestures of the player and control background objects in the game using the recognized gestures. For example, by using gestures such as head rotations the player's hands are free to continue operating a hand-held controller and the player has increased control and an immersive game play experience. In various embodiments, methods for detecting head gestures from image streams in real time are described such as tracking velocity of player's heads and motion through quadrants of an image stream.