Abstract: An electronic game system and a method of its operation are provided for virtual space mapping of a variable activity region in physical space. A calibration input may be received from a positioning device of a game controller that indicates waypoints that define an activity region in physical space. A scale factor may be identified between the activity region and an interactive game region in virtual space based on the calibration input. Positioning information may be received from the positioning device that indicates a position of the positioning device within the activity region. The position of the positioning device within the activity region may be mapped to a corresponding virtual position within the interactive game region based on the scale factor.

Abstract: An electronic game system and a method of its operation are provided for virtual space mapping of a variable activity region in physical space. A calibration input may be received from a positioning device of a game controller that indicates waypoints that define an activity region in physical space. A scale factor may be identified between the activity region and an interactive game region in virtual space based on the calibration input. Positioning information may be received from the positioning device that indicates a position of the positioning device within the activity region. The position of the positioning device within the activity region may be mapped to a corresponding virtual position within the interactive game region based on the scale factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a device to a peripheral that is communicating to a game console or computing device. The peripheral is initially bound to a port of the game console or computing device. The device binds to the game console or computing device via an automatic or user-initiated sequence and then correlated to the port assigned to the peripheral. Data that is associated with the peripheral is communicated to the device after being correlated. The device and peripheral may also be associated based on a user profile. When the user signs-in to the game console or computing device, the device is associated to the peripheral via a peripheral identifier and configuration information in the profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a system level user interface that can be invoked at any time during operation of a multimedia console are provided, enabling a user to interact with system level user data and/or initiate secondary behaviors or functionality not normally possible to achieve when the multimedia console is engaged only by a primary application. The system level user interface may either interrupt, e.g., pause, the primary application or allow the primary application to continue, and simultaneously displaying the operation of the primary application and the system level user interface. In one embodiment, the system level user interface layer is called a “Head's Up” Display, or HUD, and the HUD is invocable via peripheral input means, such as a button on a controller or remote device, and the HUD enables the user to perform secondary system level tasks not available through the primary gaming application.

Abstract: A system for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console has a notification system application native to the multimedia console which subscribes to all notification events generated by the application manager of the multimedia console. Through an application programming interface (API), a game developer can easily specify the location of user notifications and also delay the display of user notifications for the developer's game. A user is notified that a particular notification is intended for him or her in a multi-player environment by a visual indication corresponding to that user's controller. The user may then press a button on the controller to be immediately directed to further information regarding the notification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing notifications to players of a gaming console of messages and system notifications. A controller and the gaming console include a four quadrant LED indicator. Each quadrant of the ring may be illuminated individually or together using an LED to indicate the messages and notifications. The quadrants may be illuminated in one of three colors and/or in patterns to indicate different types of notifications. Onscreen displays may be used to supplement the LED indicators to convey information to users. A method of binding and discovering a controller is also provided where the controller may be bound to a gaming console. After a controller is bound to a console, the controller may be discovered by the gaming console where it is assigned a virtual port and enabled for game play.