Abstract: Techniques for managing snapshot storage on computer game servers use a hybrid filesystem which combines the best parts of raw disk access and a filesystem. The format is defined so that storage is not limited to the limited feature-set of legacy-but-commonly supported filesystems. Storage “blocks” are allocated in an optimal manner. Because the hybrid filesystem has access to low-level storage information, certain currently impossible features such as storage redundancy or data striping across disks can be implemented. Flexible metadata that can be safely used by multiple systems simultaneously or make live updates to content can be stored without having to shut down one or more systems.

Abstract: Techniques for managing snapshot storage on computer game servers use a hybrid filesystem which combines the best parts of raw disk access and a filesystem. The format is defined so that storage is not limited to the limited feature-set of legacy-but-commonly supported filesystems. Storage “blocks” are allocated in an optimal manner. Because the hybrid filesystem has access to low-level storage information, certain currently impossible features such as storage redundancy or data striping across disks can be implemented. Flexible metadata that can be safely used by multiple systems simultaneously or make live updates to content can be stored without having to shut down one or more systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for tile-based encoding in cloud gaming. The method includes providing a current frame including a plurality of tiles and generating a priority list, which stores a rendering order of the plurality of tiles in the current frame. The method further includes setting a predetermined time, which is a maximum time to be spent rendering the current frame, and starting rendering of the plurality of tiles in the current frame in the rendering order and ending rendering when the predetermined time expires, thereby producing a plurality of rendered tiles that is less than or equal to the plurality of tiles. A corresponding method for processing the plurality of rendered tiles at a receiver is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for game texture substitution in cloud gaming. The method includes receiving data including information identifying one or more video game textures to be included in the stream. The method further includes providing texture data for the one or more video game textures identified in the received data. The texture data comprises at least one identifier from a texture coding scheme, where each identifier represents image data associated with a corresponding video game texture. The texture coding scheme, provided in a memory associated with the cloud gaming computing system, comprises a plurality of identifiers, where each identifier represents the image data associated with the corresponding video game texture. A corresponding method for processing the stream at a client device is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of executing a distributed processing scheme, the method comprising receiving, at a first computing device, a first request associated with a processing task, identifying a plurality of computing devices, wherein each computing device of the plurality of computing devices is remote from the first computing device and each computing device satisfies at least one criterion of a predetermined list of criteria, determining a priority value for each computing device, wherein the priority value is at least partially based on the predetermined list of criteria, selecting one of the computing devices, wherein the selection is determined at least partially based on the priority value determined for each computing device, sending a second request from the first computing device to the selected computing device via a wireless communication channel, the second request instructing the selected computing device to complete a portion of the processing task.

Abstract: A method for managing gameplay of a video game is provided, including: executing a session of a video game by a cloud gaming resource; streaming video generated by the session over a network to a client device associated to a player of the video game, to enable gameplay of the session by the player; detecting a loss of network connectivity between the client device and the session; responsive to detecting the loss of network connectivity, then initiating transmission of updates regarding the session, via an alternative communication channel, to a secondary device associated to the player.

Abstract: A fastener (1) has an elongate fastening band (2) and a buckle (10) for engagement with the band (2) to form a closed loop fastener. The buckle (10) is overmoulded on a first end region (8) of the fastening band (2). Such a design provides a fastener that has higher strength and is more compact than previously-considered designs.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for virtualizing mass storage. In various implementations, the management server may allocate resources of a network storage server for use by a separate game server in running a computer application, turn on the game server after allocating the resources, and provide the game server with information on how to access the storage server.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for virtualizing mass storage using a network storage device operatively coupled to a host system. In various implementations, the network storage device and host system may collectively emulate a mass storage device for another “terminal” computing system. This emulation can be performed while utilizing the minimum possible memory of the host system, as the network storage device contains the operating system data for the host system in addition to game and user data required for the implementation of a computer application.

Abstract: A fastener (1) has an elongate fastening band (2) and a buckle (10) for engagement with the band (2) to form a closed loop fastener. The buckle (10) is overmoulded on a first end region (8) of the fastening band (2). Such a design provides a fastener that has higher strength and is more compact than previously-considered designs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener (1) comprising a band (2) and a holding member (8). The band (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4), and an inwardly facing surface (5) and an outwardly facing surface (6) extending therebetween. Teeth (7) are provided on the inwardly facing surface (5) and outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first (3) and second (4) ends of the band (2). A holding member (8) for holding the band (2) in a closed loop such that the holding member (8) is arranged to engage the teeth (7) provided by the inwardly facing surface (5) or the outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first end (3) of the band (2) with the teeth (7) provided by the outwardly facing surface (6) or the inwardly facing surface (5) respectively at least the second end (4) of the band (2).

Abstract: There is disclosed an access port for a casing of a gas turbine engine and a plug for plugging the access port. The access port and plug each include first and second baulking formations which are configured to engage with one another. The first and second baulking formations are spaced from one another by a unique angular separation which allows only the correct plug to be inserted into the correct access port.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for virtualizing mass storage using a network storage device operatively coupled to a host system. In various implementations, the network storage device and host system may collectively emulate a mass storage device for another “terminal” computing system. This emulation can be performed while utilizing the minimum possible memory of the host system, as the network storage device contains the operating system data for the host system in addition to game and user data required for the implementation of a computer application.

Abstract: There is disclosed an access port for a casing of a gas turbine engine and a plug for plugging the access port. The access port and plug each include first and second baulking formations which are configured to engage with one another. The first and second baulking formations are spaced from one another by a unique angular separation which allows only the correct plug to be inserted into the correct access port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener (1) comprising a band (2) and a holding member (8). The band (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4), and an inwardly facing surface (5) and an outwardly facing surface (6) extending therebetween. Teeth (7) are provided on the inwardly facing surface (5) and outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first (3) and second (4) ends of the band (2). A holding member (8) for holding the band (2) in a closed loop such that the holding member (8) is arranged to engage the teeth (7) provided by the inwardly facing surface (5) or the outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first end (3) of the band (2) with the teeth (7) provided by the outwardly facing surface (6) or the inwardly facing surface (5) respectively at least the second end (4) of the band (2).

Abstract: A compact low-profile clamp for clamping objects comprises a toothed band formed into a closed loop having a first end and a second end and a head that holds the band in a closed loop and comprises a first and a second side-by-side passageways that also include teeth. The second end of the band is secured in a second passageway. The band is then passed around the object to form a loop and the first end of the band is pushed into the first passageway; the teeth hold the band in the closed loop. A chamber located at one end of the first passageway has an opening that is accessible from the outside to enable the first end of the band to be pulled to tighten the band.

Abstract: A fastener for holding or clamping at least one object is provided that comprises: a band (10) formed into a closed loop, said band having a first end and a second end and teeth (18) on its outer surface; and a head (12) that holds the band in a closed loop and comprises a first and a second passageway (20, 22). The second end of the band is secured in a second passageway (20) by teeth (24) that engage with the teeth of the band. The band is then passed around the object to form a loop and the first end of the band is pushed into the first passageway (22) that also includes teeth that engages the teeth on the band and prevents the band from being pulled out of the first passageway. A chamber (34) is located at one end of the first passageway (22) and has an opening in the outer face of the head.

Abstract: A clamp comprising a band (10) having, at one end, a pair of axially spaced jaws (16, 18) comprising an upper jaw (16) and a lower jaw (18) and, at the other end, a tongue (28) that can be inserted between the jaws. The tongue has an upper surface and a lower surface and the top jaw (16) has a lower surface that includes a single engagement tooth (20). The upper surface of the tongue includes an engagement tooth (29) having a cavity (30) behind it that can accommodate the engagement tooth (20) of the upper jaw to hold the clamp in a closed position. The lower surface (48) of the tongue is provided with a recess (40) that accommodates the lower jaw (18) when the clamp is in the said closed position.

Abstract: A method of correcting for deadtime in an attenuation map generated by a nuclear medicine imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a gamma ray detector that is rotatable about an object to be imaged. A region is defined on the imaging surface of the detector, such as the edge of the field of view of the detector, such that during a transmission scan of the object, the radiation shadow of the object is substantially less likely to fall upon the defined region than upon other regions of the imaging surface. A blank transmission scan is then performed, including recording the radiation intensity level detected in the region as a reference intensity level. A transmission scan of the object is then performed to acquire an attenuation map of the object, including recording a radiation intensity level detected in the first region during the transmission scan.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting for random coincidences in a gamma camera imaging system are provided, based on the distribution of the object to be imaged as well as the measured singles and coincidence rates. Gamma radiation emitted from the object is detected for multiple projection angles, including detection of a plurality of coincidence events, to generate an object profile. The singles rate and the coincidence rate are also measured for each of the projection angles. A randoms distribution representing random coincidences in the detected coincidence events is then determined, including computing a randoms profile as the convolution of the object profile and a Gaussian function.