Abstract: There is provided a dual mount end cap system for mounting a rod. The dual mount end cap system includes both a threaded system and a fastener system. This enables end caps of the system to be pre-mounted using a fastener and also adjusted using the threaded system. The fastener can extend through the dual mount end cap system. Alternatively, the threaded system can be used without the fastener system. There also is provided a stop system to prevent a locking system for an adjustable rod system to prevent the locking system from becoming stuck.

Abstract: There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.

Abstract: A curved curtain rod is provided with adjustable rods and an adjustable end cap assembly. The adjustable end cap assembly includes a user accessible drive element that can be rotated to operate the adjustable end cap assembly.

Abstract: A rotating shower rod is provided to change the location of a curved shower rod between one position projecting outward from shower or bathtub enclosure to a second position projecting inward to the enclosure. Surface mounts provide two axes of rotation for the shower rod. The shower rod includes two tubes that telescopically extend and retract relative to one another.

Abstract: A video game includes a single player mode where completion of storyline objectives advances the single player storyline. The video game also includes a multiplayer mode where a plurality of players can play on an instance of a multiplayer map. Storyline objectives from the single player mode are selected and made available for completion to players in the multiplayer mode, and the single player storylines can be advanced by players completing respective storyline objectives while playing in the multiplayer mode. Combinations of storyline objectives are selected from pending storyline objectives for players connecting to a multiplayer game for compatibility with multiplayer maps. Constraints can be used to determine compatibility.

Abstract: A background image is also generated, e.g., by filling portions of a captured image where a foreground object was extracted and communicated to the playback device, Foreground objects are identified and point cloud representations of the foreground objects are generated and communicated to a playback device so that they can be used in generating images including the background which is communicated separately. In the case of a point cloud representation a number of points in an environment, e.g., 3D space, are communicated to the playback device along with color information. Thus in some embodiments a foreground object is represented as a set of points with corresponding color information on a per point basis. Foreground object information is communicated and processed in some embodiments at a different rate, e.g., faster rate, then the background textures. The playback device renders images which are sent to the display by first rendering a background layer using the communicated background information, e.g.

Abstract: Systems described herein may automatically and dynamically adjust the amount and type of computing resources usable to execute, process, or perform various tasks associated with a video game. Using one or more machine learning algorithms, a prediction model can be generated that uses the historical and/or current user interaction data obtained by monitoring the users playing the video game. Based on the historical and/or current user interaction data, future user interactions likely to be performed in the future can be predicted. Using the predictions of the users' future interactions, the amount and type of computing resources maintained in the systems can be adjusted such that a proper balance between reducing the consumption of computing resources and reducing the latency experienced by the users of the video game is achieved and maintained.

Abstract: A background image is also generated, e.g., by filling portions of a captured image where a foreground object was extracted and communicated to the playback device, Foreground objects are identified and point cloud representations of the foreground objects are generated and communicated to a playback device so that they can be used in generating images including the background which is communicated separately. In the case of a point cloud representation a number of points in an environment, e.g., 3D space, are communicated to the playback device along with color information. Thus in some embodiments a foreground object is represented as a set of points with corresponding color information on a per point basis. Foreground object information is communicated and processed in some embodiments at a different rate, e.g., faster rate, then the background textures. The playback device renders images which are sent to the display by first rendering a background layer using the communicated background information, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing, communicating and using image data to support virtual reality experiences are described. Images, e.g., frames, are captured at a high resolution but lower frame rate than is used for playback. Interpolation is applied to captured frames to generate interpolated frames. Captured frames, along with interpolated frame information, are communicated to the playback device. The combination of captured and interpolated frames correspond to a second frame playback rate which is higher than the image capture rate. Cameras operate at a high image resolution but slower frame rate than images could be captured with the same cameras at a lower resolution. Interpolation is performed prior to delivery to the user device with segments to be interpolated being selected based on motion and/or lens FOV information. A relatively small amount of interpolated frame data is communicated compared to captured frame data for efficient bandwidth use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a sponsor matching system in which players and sponsors can be matched. Upon a match based at least in part on stored sponsorship criteria and/or player preferences, a first sponsor can select a set of players to receive permission to select an advertisement associated with the first sponsor. Once a first player of the selected players selects an advertisement and an advertisement placement location associated with the first sponsor, the sponsor matching system can generate game rendering instructions for a first player system associated with the first player.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein provide a three dimensional reconstruction system that can receive an image from a camera, and then utilize machine learning algorithms to identify objects in the image. The three dimensional reconstruction system can identify a geolocation of a user, identify features of the surrounding area, such as structures or geographic features, and reconstruct the scene including the identified features. The three dimensional reconstruction system can generate three dimensional object data for the features and/or objects, modify the three dimensional objects, arrange the objects in a scene, and render a two dimensional view of the scene.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a sponsor matching system in which players and sponsors can be matched. Upon a match based at least in part on stored sponsorship criteria and/or player preferences, a first sponsor can select a set of players to receive permission to select an advertisement associated with the first sponsor. Once a first player of the selected players selects an advertisement and an advertisement placement location associated with the first sponsor, the sponsor matching system can generate game rendering instructions for a first player system associated with the first player.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing, communicating and using image data to support virtual reality experiences are described. Images, e.g., frames, are captured at a high resolution but lower frame rate than is used for playback. Interpolation is applied to captured frames to generate interpolated frames. Captured frames, along with interpolated frame information, are communicated to the playback device. The combination of captured and interpolated frames correspond to a second frame playback rate which is higher than the image capture rate. Cameras operate at a high image resolution but slower frame rate than images could be captured with the same cameras at a lower resolution. Interpolation is performed prior to delivery to the user device with segments to be interpolated being selected based on motion and/or lens FOV information. A relatively small amount of interpolated frame data is communicated compared to captured frame data for efficient bandwidth use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a request distribution system in which a request for resources may be executed by a plurality of workers. Upon receiving a request for resources from a user computing system, the request distribution system may select a subset of workers from the plurality of workers to execute the request within a time limit. Once the workers generate a plurality of outputs, each output associated with a quality level, the request distribution system may transmit the output associated with the highest quality level to the user computing system.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for user matchmaking. The method includes training a quality model and an embedding model based on historical data and user control options. The method also includes receiving user control options and matchmaking requests from users. The method also includes embedding, through the embedding model, user data regarding the users into an embedded space based on the received user control options and the matchmaking requests. The method also includes determining, based on the embedded user data, that a distance between two users satisfies a distance threshold. The method also includes matching the two users when the determined distance satisfies the distance threshold.

Abstract: Systems described herein may automatically and dynamically adjust the amount and type of computing resources usable to execute, process, or perform various tasks associated with a video game. Using one or more machine learning algorithms, a prediction model can be generated that uses the historical and/or current user interaction data obtained by monitoring the users playing the video game. Based on the historical and/or current user interaction data, future user interactions likely to be performed in the future can be predicted. Using the predictions of the users' future interactions, the amount and type of computing resources maintained in the systems can be adjusted such that a proper balance between reducing the consumption of computing resources and reducing the latency experienced by the users of the video game is achieved and maintained.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding a stereoscopic image pair is disclosed. Groups of pixels are analyzed to determine the depth of each pixel group. The number of bits per pixel used to encode each pixel group is selected based on the depth of that pixel group. Therefore, images of objects closer to the camera pair, which appear closer to the viewer, are encoded with a larger number of bits per pixel than objects perceived to be farther from the viewer. The number of bits per pixel may also be increased based on a number of objects depicted or motion detected. The size of prediction blocks used to encode image portions may also be determined based on an angular distance of an image portion relative to the center of the frame. Therefore, smaller prediction blocks may be used to encode image portions closer to the center of the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a request distribution system in which a request for resources may be executed by a plurality of workers. Upon receiving a request for resources from a user computing system, the request distribution system may select a subset of workers from the plurality of workers to execute the request within a time limit. Once the workers generate a plurality of outputs, each output associated with a quality level, the request distribution system may transmit the output associated with the highest quality level to the user computing system.

Abstract: A video game includes a single player mode where completion of storyline objectives advances the single player storyline. The video game also includes a multiplayer mode where a plurality of players can play on an instance of a multiplayer map. Storyline objectives from the single player mode are selected and made available for completion to players in the multiplayer mode, and the single player storylines can be advanced by players completing respective storyline objectives while playing in the multiplayer mode. Combinations of storyline objectives are selected from pending storyline objectives for players connecting to a multiplayer game for compatibility with multiplayer maps. Constraints can be used to determine compatibility.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein provide a virtual object aging system. The virtual object aging system can utilize artificial intelligence to modify virtual objects within a video game to age and/or deteriorate for a certain time period. The virtual object aging system can be used to determine erosion, melting ice, and/or other environmental effects on virtual objects within the game. The virtual object aging system can apply aging, rust, weathering, and/or other effects that cause persistent change to object meshes and textures.