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, a method for detecting a plurality of stimulus signals generated by a gaming accessory device, identifying a plurality of substitute gaming stimulations associated with the plurality of stimulus signals, substituting the plurality of stimulus signals with the plurality of substitute gaming stimulations, incorporating in each of the plurality of substitute gaming stimulations a first unique identifier to generate a plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations, transmitting the plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations to a computing device executing a gaming application, and receiving from the computing device a plurality of game action results, where each of the plurality of gaming action results comprises the first unique identifier of a corresponding one of the plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations. Additional 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 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 the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having a processor that performs operations including receiving from a computer accessory a control signal for controlling a software application, determining a result that would arise if the control signal is supplied to the software application, and generating an updated control signal to produce a desired result responsive to detecting that the result is undesirable. 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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor to perform operations including sensing a gesture performed by an object in a vicinity of a sensor, associating the gesture with the at least one gaming action responsive to determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously associated with at least one gaming action of a plurality of gaming actions that control presentations produced by a gaming application, sensing by way of the sensor a subsequent instance of the gesture by the object or a different object, obtaining the at least one gaming action associated with the gesture responsive to detecting the subsequent instance of the gesture, and providing the at least one gaming action to the gaming application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a request from a mobile communication device to configure a computing environment for executing a software application, identifying a deficiency in an availability of a resource of the computing environment responsive to receiving the request, adjusting an operation of the computing environment to change the availability of the resource responsive to identifying the resource deficiency, and providing an action of a plurality of associable actions to the computer environment for use in the software application, where the action replaces a received stimulation of a user input that is associated with the executing of the software application. Other 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.

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: 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 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 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: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting a plurality of stimulus signals generated by a gaming accessory device, identifying a plurality of substitute gaming stimulations associated with the plurality of stimulus signals, substituting the plurality of stimulus signals with the plurality of substitute gaming stimulations, incorporating in each of the plurality of substitute gaming stimulations a first unique identifier to generate a plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations, transmitting the plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations to a computing device executing a gaming application, and receiving from the computing device a plurality of game action results, where each of the plurality of gaming action results comprises the first unique identifier of a corresponding one of the plurality of updated substitute gaming stimulations. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system, processor or computer readable device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a user attribute of a first user based on a record of stimulation of an electronic gaming accessory of the first user. The record of stimulation is determined responsive to game-related activity in an electronic game application. A first user record is updated responsive to the receiving of the user attribute of the first user, resulting in an updated first user record. The updated first user record is forwarded to a matching service, wherein the matching service matches the first user and a second user based on the updated first user record. Such matching can be used to associate players of electronic games, for example, as members of a team. Additional embodiments are disclosed.