Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for providing virtual gameplay. Access is provided to a video game in which players are able to interact via characters and each character behaves according to a series of scripts in a script set. A first player character is monitored as it interacts with a second character in the video game. The second character responds according to a script in its script set. When the first player character exhibits repetitive behaviour in the interaction that causes damage to the second character that exceeds a preset damage threshold, the second character's script is changed and the changed script is stored for future use. As strings are changed over successive iterations, the second character evolves.

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 computer-implemented method of virtual gameplay is provided. In a video game in which a player can create a player character for interaction in the video game, the player is allowed to play in the video game using the player character via at least one player character script. When the player exits the video game, the player character is allowed to at least temporarily become a non-player character in the game by selectively causing the player character to assume at least one non-player character script, such that the player character has automatic, non-player directed interactions in the video game wherein the player character takes on the behaviour of a non-player character. When the player returns to the video game, the player character is allowed to resume play in the video game according to the player character script.

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 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 computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay with a virtual character on a computing device. The player can access at least one video game and interact with the video game via a virtual character. The computing device detects or receives and stores at least one vital sign of the player. This vital sign is used to retrieve a storyline for the virtual character to interact with, which is related to the at least one vital sign.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that enables virtual gameplay with a character on a computing device. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact via a character. The player's emotive state is detected and stored. In response to the detected emotive state, the computing device retrieves a storyline for the character that is related to the emotive state of the player.

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: 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 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.