Abstract: In customized audio attenuation a computer system generates audible sounds in one or more frequency ranges from electronic signals. An audiogram for a listener is inferred from the listener's response to the audible sounds and an attenuation profile is determined from the audiogram. The attenuation profile includes an attenuation level for each of the one or more frequency ranges. Each attenuation level is inversely related to the listener's sensitivity to hearing sounds in the corresponding frequency range. Subsequent signals or data corresponding to subsequent audible sounds in the one or more frequency ranges are generated. The attenuation profile is applied to the subsequent signals to generate attenuated signals and the attenuated signals are transmitted to an audio transducer.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automated visual setting importation is disclosed. A first application running on a first device requests a vision setting for a second application. A vision setting of the first application running on a first device is determined to correspond to the vision setting for the second application. The vision setting for the second application is then applied to the corresponding vision setting of the first application.

Abstract: A system and method provide application assistance with a mobile device including running an application on a computer system. A challenging application state of the application is detected. An assistance for the challenging application state may be determined wherein the assistance includes display of one or more assistance frames on the mobile device. Information regarding the determined one or more assistance frames is sent to the mobile device.

Abstract: Feature discovery includes determining what a user is doing or trying to do with respect to a computer platform from situational awareness information relating to the user's use of the platform. Feature discovery logic is applied to the situational awareness information and personalized user information to determine (a) when to present information to the user regarding a platform feature or features relevant to what the user is doing or trying to do, (b) what information to present to the user regarding the feature(s), and (c) how to best present the information to the user with a user interface. After the user interface presents the information regarding the platform feature(s) the feature discovery logic, personalized user information, or situational awareness information are updated according to the user's response to presentation of the information.

Abstract: An isometric exercise system according to the present invention facilitates user interaction with a host computer system and includes at least one effector, at least one sensor coupled to the effector, a platform to accommodate the user and control circuitry including a processor. The platform accommodates a user and includes the effector attached thereto. The sensor measures at least one force applied by a user to the effector, where the applied force effects a strain on or deflects the effector. The processor receives and processes data corresponding to applied force information measured by the sensor for transference to the host computer system in a compatible format and facilitates user interaction with the host computer system via effector manipulation by the user. The host computer system processes the information to update or respond to events within an executing software application (e.g., a game).

Abstract: The present invention embodiments promote performance of exercise by users during a video or computer game by enabling a user to perform exercises to interact with the game. An embodiment of the present invention includes an exercise gaming device with a plurality of effector or gripping members in the form of handles to be manipulated by a user. The exercise gaming device further includes additional input devices to interact with a simulation or gaming scenario. The user applies forces to the handles to interact with the gaming scenario, thereby requiring the user to perform exercises during game play. The exercise gaming device may employ various damping mechanisms to provide resistance to the handles for the user. Alternatively, the handles may be fixedly attached to the exercise gaming device to resist the applied forces and provide isometric exercises for the user.

Abstract: A force measurement system includes an effector device with a hollow interior, an inner support secured within the hollow interior of the effector device, and at least one sensor secured at a selected location to the inner support and configured to measure a force applied to the inner support. At least one outer surface portion of the inner support is coupled with at least one interior surface portion of the effector device such that forces applied to the effector device are at least partially transferred to the inner support for measurement by the sensor.

Abstract: A force measurement system includes an effector device with a hollow interior, an inner support secured within the hollow interior of the effector device, and at least one sensor secured at a selected location to the inner support and configured to measure a force applied to the inner support. At least one outer surface portion of the inner support is coupled with at least one interior surface portion of the effector device such that forces applied to the effector device are at least partially transferred to the inner support for measurement by the sensor.

Abstract: A game controller, according to the present invention, interacts with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications utilizing a communication link. The game controller includes a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, and at least one signal processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices and to communicate with a plurality of different game processors. The communication link includes a plurality of connection plugs, where at least two of the connection plugs are configured to connect with different game processors. In addition, the communication link may facilitate wired or wireless transfer of signals between the at least one signal processor and a selected game processor, where a wired transfer may employ an extension cable to cover greater distances.

Abstract: An isometric exercise system according to the present invention facilitates user interaction with a host computer system and includes at least one effector, at least one sensor coupled to the effector, a platform to accommodate the user and control circuitry including a processor. The platform accommodates a user and includes the effector attached thereto. The sensor measures at least one force applied by a user to the effector, where the applied force effects a strain on or deflects the effector. The processor receives and processes data corresponding to applied force information measured by the sensor for transference to the host computer system in a compatible format and facilitates user interaction with the host computer system via effector manipulation by the user. The host computer system processes the information to update or respond to events within an executing software application (e.g., a game).

Abstract: A game controller according tot the present invention employs scalable force-detecting sensors (e.g., strain gauges, etc.) to measure user manipulation of controller input devices (e.g., joysticks, etc.). The controller incorporates force sensing, rather than motion sensing, to provide the “analog” type inputs to a computer-interactive game. The force required to provide the controller output is adjustable by the user, while the mapping of sensor to game control is determined by user configuration of the controller.

Abstract: A configurable game controller according to the present invention selectively assigns functions within a gaming application to controller input devices. The controller includes input devices, signal sources, a switching device and a switch control unit. The input devices are each coupled to a corresponding signal source that detects or measures manipulation of the corresponding input device and produces a signal indicating the measurement. The signals produced by the signal sources are processed by a signal processor whose inputs are associated in a fixed manner with game functions. The switching device receives information from each signal source and provides the appropriate signals to the signal processor inputs to attain the desired configuration or function assignment received from the user via the switch control unit. In addition, the configurable controller may be utilized with an exercise device to enable exercise and/or controller input devices to control gaming functions.