Abstract: A system and method of awarding a participant with a real or virtual prize over a network, the system and method comprising present one or more details of a match in the session application to the participant over the network to the remote participant computer for selection of the match, wherein the match is associated with at least one prize type, receive a request from the participant to join the match, the request including a participation type associated with the participant and participant characteristics, determine participant eligibility to participate in the match and receive the at least one prize type associated with the match by comparing the prize type, participation type, and the participant characteristics with a set of eligibility requirements for the match, if the participant is eligible and achieves a win condition then award the participant the prize associated with the match and the prize type.

Abstract: A method of mapping a virtual environment includes: obtaining a first sequence of video images output by a videogame title; obtaining a corresponding sequence of in-game virtual camera positions at which the video images were created; obtaining a corresponding sequence of depth buffer values for a depth buffer used by the videogame whilst creating the video images; and, for each of a plurality of video images and corresponding depth buffer values of the obtained sequences, obtain mapping points corresponding to a selected predetermined set of depth values corresponding to a predetermined set of positions within a respective video image; where for each pair of depth values and video image positions, a mapping point has a distance from the virtual camera position based upon the depth value, and a position based upon the relative positions of the virtual camera and the respective video image position, thereby obtaining a map dataset of mapping points corresponding to the first sequence of video images.

Abstract: A variable-color region (106) extends to an exposed surface (102) at a zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. The region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone sufficiently hard at an object-contact area (116) by providing an impact signal identifying a criteria-meeting area (1626) where threshold impact criteria are met. Responsive to the impact signal and possibly to supplemental impact criteria being met, a controller (1622) produces a representation of a print area (118) from a representation of the criteria-meeting area by smoothening its perimeter and provides an initiation signal designating a location in the zone for the print area such that it closely matches the object-contact area. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the region responds to the initiation signal and possibly to a tracking condition being met by temporarily appearing along the print area as changed color materially different from the principal color.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel solution which can be used to detect and analyze instances of micro stutter within a given game, GPU and/or driver version. Embodiments of the present invention may be operable to divide an application session into a set of sub-sessions and perform multiple derivative calculations on time-varying application parameters (e.g., frame rates) measured during each sub-session. Embodiments of the present invention may also be operable to generate separate histograms for each derivative calculation performed. As such, based on calculations performed, embodiments of the present invention may synchronously increment histogram bins representing a corresponding range of performance in real-time. Upon the completion of the application session, sub-session histograms may be compressed and then saved into a log which can be fetched and uploaded to a host computer system for aggregation and storage into a database for server-side optimization analysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for virtual walking, which relates to the field of games. In the present disclosure, geometric-shape attribute parameters of a physical area in which a user walks may be acquired. Then, a plurality of virtual areas each matching the geometric-shape attribute parameters may be obtained in a virtual scene. Further, when the user walks to a corner of a physical area, a target virtual area is selected from the plurality of virtual areas and a virtual person corresponding to the user may be transferred from a current virtual area to the target virtual area. The current virtual area may be a virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas corresponding to the user's current walking status. Therefore, the method and apparatus for virtual walking in the present disclosure enable infinite virtual spaces within the confines of limited physical spaces without visual deviation.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: generating a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols, and displaying the selected symbols on a display at respective ones of a plurality of display positions arranged in a three-dimensional array; and determining whether the game outcome includes one or more winning outcomes. The method may include expanding the size of the three-dimensional array in response to occurrence of at least one trigger condition. The method may also include migrating symbols from one position to another within the three-dimensional array prior to determining whether the game outcome includes any winning outcomes.

Abstract: A method of replay of a gambling game may involve receiving user input corresponding to a request for replay of the gambling game. The request may include a game round indication pertaining to an individual free game from within a feature game comprising a plurality of free games. The method may involve querying a game history data structure and retrieving game round metadata corresponding to the individual free game. The method may involve controlling a display to provide a sequence of images corresponding to the game round metadata. The sequence of images may correspond to a replay of the individual free game.

Abstract: A method for generating a motivational spark for a user, the method comprising generating a user content request, the user content request comprising a request for a user to perform at least one motivational action while a user-generated content portion is being recorded; recording the user-generated content portion by a user device; receiving the user-generated content by a motivational system from the user device; determining a user-specific sequence of content portions; generating, by the motivational system, at least one user-specific content portion based on user personal information and the user-specific sequence of content portions; and mixing, by the motivational system, the user-generated content portion with the at least one user-specific content portion based on user-specific sequence of content portions to generate the motivational spark for future playback.

Abstract: Technology is described for electronic game interaction. A request may be received to generate an electronic link for an electronic game session hosted by a game server in a computing service environment. The electronic link may enable one or more game interactions to be performed with the electronic game session. The electronic link may be generated for the electronic game session to include link information. The link information may include one or more game parameters associated with the electronic game session that are to be included in the electronic link. The electronic link may be provided for inclusion in an electronic page. An activation of the electronic link by a target gaming device may enable the target gaming device to perform a game interaction with the electronic game session.

Abstract: A system for and method of reconstituting post mortem circulation is provided. Certain methods include simulating natural clotting cascades at wound sites while preventing clotting in reservoirs and within the cadaver. Clot prevention in the reservoir and the cadaver are accomplished with an anticoagulant and a dispersant, respectively. Simulation of clotting at the wound site is accomplished by diluting cadaver fluid with reservoir fluid, thereby diluting the dispersant. The cadaver fluid contains excess calcium for resisting the anticoagulant of the reservoir fluid. Certain methods of the present invention also include reanimating a heart, attaching foreign cadaveric circulatory branches to other cadaveric tissue, enabling mobile cadaveric perfusion, and utilizing a water bath with gravity-feed perfusion.

Abstract: A method of modifying a transparency factor of one or more objects in a computer game. A display of a computer device displays a first object having a transparency factor at a first location, said first object overlying at least one of a plurality of game objects. In response to a trigger event at least one of said transparency factor of the first object, a transparency factor of a game pointer, and a transparency factor of at least one game object are modified and at least one of said first object, said game pointer, and said at least one game object are displayed with said at least one modified transparency factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating a computer model of a patient specific joint for treatment planning. The method includes identifying a ligament of a joint of a patient under a load at a predefined position of the joint. The method further includes constructing, with the use of a computer, a computer model of the joint of the patient having: a first bone model, a second bone model, and a ligament model connecting the first and second bone models corresponding to the identified ligament, wherein the ligament model is constructed as at least one fiber based on a predefined slack length.

Abstract: A method of automatically providing a hint to a first user about how a second user is likely to interact with them within a videogame includes: obtaining first indicators of behaviour for the second user recorded during at least a first previous interaction with the first user or an approximate representation of the first user, obtaining second indicators of behaviour for a corpus of a plurality of players having had at least a first successful previous interaction with the first user or an approximate representation of the first user, comparing the first and second indicators of behaviour to obtain comparison information about how the second user compares to the corpus of successful players, and providing a hint to the first user about the second user, based upon the comparison information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for executing games are provided. One example method includes executing at a server of the gaming system a first game logic and a second game logic. The first game logic is for a first game stream to a first user and the second game logic is for a second game stream to a second user. The method includes providing a first virtual driver for the first game logic and a second virtual driver for the second game logic. The method includes executing a hardware graphical processing unit (GPU). The hardware GPU having a non-virtual driver that communicates with each of the first and second virtual drivers. The non-virtual driver is configured for receiving data associated with the first game and the second game using the first virtual driver and the second virtual driver, respectively. The hardware GPU is configured for rendering video frames for the first game and the second game. The method includes encoding the video frames for the first game and the second game using an encoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing direct communication between a server system and a video game controller are described. The systems and methods include the video game controller and a computing device. An application is executed by the server system when a session is established by the computing device with the server system. Once the application is executed, the video game controller is used to send an identifier to the server system. The server system verifies the identifier to pair the session with the video game controller. When the video game controller is paired with the session, the video game controller can be used to change a state of a virtual scene that is displayed on the computing device or on a display screen.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating an image of a terrain scanned by a simulated radar beam generated by a simulated radar antenna, comprising: calculating on a first processor a power reflected by the terrain while an orientation of the simulated radar antenna is varied within a scanning antenna range; calculating on a plurality of second processors a convolution power for the terrain while the orientation of the simulated radar antenna is varied within the scanning antenna range, said calculating on a first processor and said calculating on a plurality of second processors being performed concurrently and in parallel; combining the power reflected by the terrain and the convolution power, thereby obtaining combined data; generating a radar image using the combined data; and outputting the radar image.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus related to gaming are described. Some embodiments relate to a multi-tiered game involving multiple participants. Some embodiments relate to players establishing gaming elements based on desired criteria. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adjusting a game scene are set forth herein. The method includes receiving heart rate information of a user, wherein the user wears the computing device to play the game, and based on the received heart rate information of the user, adjusting at least one element in the game scene of the game. By using a smart wearable device to acquire the heart rate information of the user playing the game, the game scene of the game can be adjusted according to the heart rate information. Therefore, the game can be made to be more interesting by receiving multi-dimensional interaction information of the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as enabling improvements to game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to adjust game elements to different positions to improve game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome. In some embodiments, the player purchases the opportunity to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for projecting streamed video are provided. An Example Surround Video Projection System (SVPS) provides support for displaying augmented reality elements in a virtual reality environment such that the AR elements appear inside the target viewing environment upon which the virtual reality environment is rendered. Also, the SVPS may change the displayed VR environment responsive to attributes and/or characteristics of the user. In one example, the SVPS comprises a real time, interactive rendering system, a display system, and one or more display units. The rendering system comprises a high resolution graphics engine capable of generating high resolution video. The projection system comprises video capture cards to capture the generated video stream and forward it to a projection mapping engine. The projection mapping engine consolidates and stitches together the received video stream as appropriate to render the video stream over display units to the target viewing environment.