Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for online gaming.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently processing a video stream using limited hardware and/or software resources. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method for efficiently processing a video stream with a processor pipeline having a plurality of pipeline stages, comprises: identifying a bottleneck stage within the processor pipeline the bottleneck stage processing frames of the video stream; receiving a feedback signal from the bottleneck stage at one or more upstream stages, the feedback signal providing an indication of the speed at which the bottleneck stage is processing the frames of the video stream; and responsively adjusting the speed at which the one or more upstream stages are processing frames of the video stream to approximate the speed at which the bottleneck stage is processing the frames of the video stream.

Abstract: A game server comprising a central processing unit to process video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands; back buffers to store video frames in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer to receive a video frame for rendering on a display after the video frame has been completed in one of the one or more back buffers, the front buffer outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a VBI; a frame processing module to increase the number of scan lines to increase the likelihood that a new frame will be completed in a back buffer and ready for transfer to the front buffer at a time during the VBI.

Abstract: A system for hosting video games comprising: a game server comprising a central processing unit to process video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands; one or more back buffers to store video frames in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer to receive a video frame for rendering on a display and outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a vertical blanking interval (VBI); a frame processing module to increase the number of scan lines associated with the VBI to increase the likelihood that a new frame will be completed in a back buffer and ready for transfer to the front buffer at a time during the VBI.

Abstract: An application/game server comprising a central processing unit to process application/video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands and generate a series of video frames for the application/video game; one or more back buffers to store video frames as the video frames are being created in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer-outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a vertical blanking interval (VBI); and a frame processing module to begin copying a newly completed frame from the back buffer to the front buffer before the video data for a prior video frame stored in the front buffer has not been fully scanned out.

Abstract: A system comprises: an application/game server comprising a central processing unit to process application/video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands and generate a series of video frames for the application/video game; one or more back buffers to store video frames as the video frames are being created in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer to receive a video frame for rendering on a display after the video frame has been completed in one of the one or more back buffers, the front buffer outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a vertical blanking interval (VBI); and a frame processing module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for performing video compression are described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for performing video compression are described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for online gaming.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for encoding video. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: selecting a tile size for subdividing each image in a sequence of images based on a specified type of encoding algorithm to be used for encoding the tiles, wherein M tiles are encoded for each image, each tile being encoded according to a first encoding format or a second encoding format, each tile having a designated tile location within each image; specifying a rotating pattern to be used for encoding the tiles over a sequence of N images, the rotating pattern comprising encoding only certain tiles of each image using the first encoding format, and rotating the tile locations selected for the first encoding format over the N images to ensure that all M tiles have been encoded according to the first encoding format across the N images; and encoding the sequence of N images using the rotating pattern.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for performing video compression are described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: encoding a plurality of video frames or portions thereof according to a first encoding format, the first encoding format being optimized for transmission to a client device over a current communication channel; transmitting the plurality of encoded video frames or portions to the client device over the communication channel; concurrently encoding the first plurality of video frames according to a second encoding format, the second encoding format having a relatively higher-quality compressed video and/or a lower compression ratio than the first encoding format; storing the first plurality of video frames encoded in the second encoding format on a storage device; and making the first plurality of video frames encoded in the second encoding format available to the client device and other client devices for playback of the video stream.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for streaming video from a server to a client are described. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: receiving at the server a request for video content from the client; in response to the request, determining the hardware/software configuration of the client; generating and/or selecting a temporary decoder based on the hardware/software configuration of the client; transmitting the temporary decoder to the client, the client installing the temporary decoder; encoding and streaming the requested video content from the server to the client, the video content being encoded based on the capabilities of the temporary decoder, the video content being decoded by the temporary decoder and rendered on the client; detecting that the client has ended the session with the server; and in response to detecting that the client has ended the session, temporarily disabling and/or removing the temporary decoder from the client.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for managing the state of an online video game. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: initiating a new online video game in response to user input from a client device, the online video game being in a first state on a first server when initiated; executing the online video game on the server, thereby causing the online video game to enter into a second state; pausing or terminating the online video game; determining differences between the first state and the second state and generating difference data containing the differences; transmitting the difference data over a network to a second server, the second server; and recreating the second state from the difference data and the first state in response to user input indicating that the user wishes to resume the online video game and in response to the second server being selected as the server on which to execute the video game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: encoding a plurality of video frames or portions thereof according to a first encoding format; transmitting the plurality of encoded video frames or portions to a client device; receiving feedback information from the client device, the feedback information usable to determine whether data contained in the video frames or portions has not been successfully received and/or decoded; in response to detecting that a video frame or portion thereof has not been successfully received and/or decoded, encoding a video frame or portion thereof according to a second encoding format; and transmitting the video frames or portions thereof to the client device.

Abstract: A receptacle is disclosed having an interior surrounded by a container body formed of two layers of different material. The inner layer is soluble in the presence of a selected solvent while the outer layer, which is supported by the inner layer, is formed of a material that is insoluble in the presence of the solvent. The inner layer may particularly be either hot or cold water soluble and may specifically be formed of polyvinyl alcohol. The outer layer may be in the form of frangible shell that is bonded to the inner layer and formed of a water insoluble material. The container body may further include a middle layer interposed between the inner and outer layers. A method of removing chemical residue from a container is also provided. The method comprises contacting the inner layer of the container body with sufficient quantity of water to dissolve the inner layer.

Abstract: An electrician's tool is disclosed that incorporates the functions of wire cutting, wire stripping and wire splicing for at least one gauge of wire. The tool is used by applying pressure, in a scissor-like manner, to handles that are located on one end of the tool. The function of wire cutting is accomplished by placing a wire completely inside two cutting blades that are formed in the tool, and then by placing pressure on the handles to cut the wire. Wire stripping is accomplished by placing the cut wire on a stripping blade for that gauge of wire which is formed in the cutting blades of the tool, and then stripping the insulation off the wire. Wire splicing can then be accomplished by gripping two cut and stripped wires together, and then by rotating the gripped wires to join them together.