Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards providing video game gameplay incorporating falling puzzle mechanics influenced by character movements within a puzzle space. In a preferred embodiment, a computer implemented method renders a game world that includes a puzzle space wherein a sequence of falling items aggregate in a puzzle formation. Players move characters within the puzzle space to remove items by colliding with them in an attempt to resolve the puzzle by clearing all items from the puzzle space. In one possible arrangement, the sequence of falling items is released according to character movements within the puzzle space. The relationship between character movements and falling puzzle items makes the game play more engaging by providing additional strategic and competitive elements to traditional falling puzzle games.

Abstract: A matte box for a camera includes a frame, a filter tray holder having at least one stage configured to receive a filter, and at least one filter tray configured to support the filter. The at least one filter tray is removably coupled to the filter tray holder at the at least one stage so that the filter is positioned in front of a lens of the camera. The matte box also includes a filter information system that has an identification tag coupled to the at least one filter tray and/or the filter. The identification tag includes informational data regarding the filter. A reader device supported on the frame and configured to receive the informational data from the identification tag. The filter information system records the informational data of the filter received in the filter tray holder.

Abstract: An example method includes programming, based on image data of a frame of a plurality of frames and during a non-emission period of the frame, pixels of a plurality of pixels of a display of a computing device; causing pixels of the plurality of pixels to emit light during an emission period of the frame, wherein an amount of light emitted by the pixels during the emission period is based on the programming; and synchronizing operation of one or more sensors and operation of the plurality of pixels by at least causing the one or more sensors to emit, during a particular portion of the emission period of the frame, electromagnetic radiation through the display.

Abstract: Greeting devices are described herein. In some embodiments, the greeting device can include an elongate body having a first end portion defining a chamber, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A message module can be positioned at least partially within the chamber. The greeting device can further include a first arm pivotably coupled to a first side of the body, and a second arm pivotably coupled to a second side of the body opposite the first side. An actuation mechanism can be operably coupled to the body. When actuated, the actuation mechanism can be configured to: (i) pivot the first and second arms relative to the body in a first direction toward the message module; and (ii) move the message module in a first direction from the chamber to extend at least partially beyond the body.

Abstract: A control system controls tenant services to various tenants by obtaining tenant attributes for each tenant, with respect to a particular workload. A model is generated that models tenant usage performance for a set of best performing tenants. The model is then applied to a remainder of the tenants to obtain a metric indicative of a likely tenant capacity for incremental usage of the workload. The control system controls the services provided to the tenant based upon the likelihood of adoption metric.

Abstract: An on-air status indicator device, configured for use with a communication device coupled to a microphone and a camera, having at least one illumination surface comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein in a first illumination mode when a user of the communication device starts or joins a meeting via a communication application executed on the communication device, the first portion of the at least one illumination surface is illuminated, in a second illumination mode the microphone is live in association with the meeting via the communication application, the second portion of the at least one illumination surface is illuminated; and in a third illumination mode when the camera is broadcasting in association with the meeting via the communication application, the third portion of the at least one illumination surface is illuminated.

Abstract: A method for sanitizing pre-measured units of a pre-sanitized flowable food product in a sanitizing device installed into an existing food production system without substantially increasing the head height requirement of the feed production system. A plurality of containers are moved about a path with increased retention time through a plurality of stations: a receiving station, one or more sanitizing stations, and a dispensing station, and a container cleaning station. A pre-measured unit measured for packaging is received at the receiving station into a container. The pre-measured unit is exposed to one or more sanitizing agents at one or more sanitizing stations. The pre-measured unit is immediately packaged after sanitization. The pre-measured unit is dispensed into a packaging device at the dispensing station. The containers are then cleaned at the container cleaning station to prepare each container to receive a subsequent pre-measured unit of the pre-sanitized flowable feed product.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of identifying packet latency in a software defined datacenter (SDDC) that includes a network and multiple host computers executing multiple machines. At a first host computer, the method identifies and stores (i) multiple time values associated with several packet processing operations performed on a particular packet sent by a first machine executing on the first host computer, and (ii) a time value associated with packet transmission through the SDDC network from the first host computer to a second host computer that is a destination of the particular packet. The method provides the stored time values to a set of one or more controllers to process to identify multiple latencies experienced by multiple packets processed in the SDDC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stratigraphic heat maps to steer a well being drilled. Data from one or more offset wells can be provided to a computer system and used with data from a well being drilled to generate one or more stratigraphic heat maps during the drilling of the subject well. The stratigraphic heat maps can be displayed and used to determine the location of the wellbore relative to one or more geological formations, including one or more target formations or within a target formation. Based on the use of the heat maps and the location of the wellbore relative to a target, the drill plan can be adjusted or updated and/or one or more drilling parameters or operations may be adjusted to drill the wellbore, such as to drill the wellbore to the target or to maximize the length of the wellbore within a target zone.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and processor for capturing digital images. The method comprising: displaying a preview scene to be captured in a user interface of the imaging device, capturing a plurality of images using a lens having one or more lens elements and at least one moveable lens element, and moving the moveable lens element electro-mechanically to counter an effect of motion. The method further including processing the plurality of images, receiving and executing instructions stored in a memory of the imaging device, to obtain a corrected image, such that the corrected image includes a first and second subject, the first subject in the corrected image is blur free, and the second subject in the corrected image is blurred compared to the first subject, storing the corrected image in the memory, and displaying the corrected image in the user interface.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels that includes at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel includes a plurality of openings and is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A cabinet may include a front wall attached to a front proximal supporting leg and a front distal supporting leg, a back wall attached to a back proximal supporting leg and a back distal supporting leg, a first foldable side wall attached to the front proximal supporting leg and the back proximal supporting leg, and a second foldable side wall attached to the front distal supporting leg and back distal supporting leg. The first foldable wall may include a first panel connected to a second panel by at least a first double pivot connection, and the second foldable wall may include a third panel connected to a fourth panel by at least a second double pivot connection.

Abstract: It is disclosed a therapeutic composition for use in the treatment of COVID-19 and other cytokine storm associated disorders, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises at least one active agent being selected from the following active agent groups a) to e): a) complement factor 3-targeting inhibitor of complement activation cascade b) carboxypeptidase B enzyme c) complement factor 5a receptor-targeting inhibitor of complement activation cascade d) endothelin A receptor-targeting inhibitor of extravasation e) bone morphogenic protein. It is further disclosed a method of treating COVID-19 and other cytokine storm associated disorders, wherein said method comprises administering an effective amount of at least one active agent being selected from the above mentioned active agent groups a) to e).

Abstract: A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.

Abstract: A computing device, including memory, an accelerator device, and a processor. The processor may generate a plurality of data packs that each indicate an update to a variable of one or more variables of a combinatorial cost function. The processor may transmit the plurality of data packs to the accelerator device. The accelerator device may, for each data pack, retrieve a variable value of the variable indicated by the data pack and generate an updated variable value. The accelerator device may generate an updated cost function value based on the updated variable value. The accelerator device may be further configured to determine a transition probability using a Monte Carlo algorithm and may store the updated variable value and the updated cost function value with the transition probability. The accelerator device may output a final updated cost function value to the processor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of diagnosing a technology environment using augmented reality may include: receiving status information corresponding to the technology environment; generating, based on the status information, a 3D visualization of the technology environment; causing an augmented reality device to display the 3D visualization, the 3D visualization including one or more first level icons; receiving first selection information from the augmented reality device, the first selection information corresponding to a first selection gesture performed by a user of the augmented reality device; and in response to the first selection information, causing the augmented reality device to display one or more second level icons as part of the 3D visualization.

Abstract: A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

Abstract: A method of driving a light source by a light driver includes measuring a current output signal of the light driver, calculating a percent change in output signal, determining whether the percent change in output signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and in response to determining that the percent change in the output signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold, calculating a percent change in reference voltage based on a current reference voltage and a previous reference voltage, determining whether the percent change in reference voltage is less than a second threshold, and in response to determining that the percent change in reference voltage is less than the second threshold, deactivating filtering and averaging of a dimmer signal received from a dimmer for a period of time, and reactivating the filtering and the averaging of the dimmer signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating data indicative of a friction associated with a driving surface, and for using the friction data in association with one or more vehicles. In one example, a computing system can detect a stop associated with a vehicle and initiate a steering action of the vehicle during the stop. The steering action is associated with movement of at least one tire of the vehicle relative to a driving surface. The computing system can obtain operational data associated with the steering action during the stop of the vehicle. The computing system can determine a friction associated with the driving surface based at least in part on the operational data associated with the steering action. The computing system can generate data indicative of the friction associated with the driving surface.