Abstract: A user input method includes the steps of inputting real events arising from a user acting as a spectator of content, analysing the real events to estimate user sentiment, and modifying an aspect of computer-controlled character behaviour in response to estimated user sentiment.

Abstract: A user input method includes the steps of inputting real events arising from a user acting as a spectator of content, analysing the real events to estimate user sentiment, and modifying an aspect of computer-controlled character behaviour in response to estimated user sentiment.

Abstract: A system includes a portable device for providing tactile feedback to a user, and a handheld games controller, the games controller including a receiving portion for securing the portable device to the games controller via the connecting portion; the portable device including a communication interface operable to receive text information, a tactile pad including a plurality of touch elements for generating a respective tactile output, a connecting portion for securing the portable device to a handheld games controller, and a processor configured to receive the text information and to control the tactile output of at least some of the touch elements based on the received text information; the handheld games controller including a touch sensitive surface; and where the portable device is positioned over the touch sensitive surface, and pressure applied by a user onto the portable device is relayed to the touch sensitive surface of the handheld games controller.

Abstract: A system includes a portable device for providing tactile feedback to a user, and a handheld games controller, the games controller including a receiving portion for securing the portable device to the games controller via the connecting portion; the portable device including a communication interface operable to receive text information, a tactile pad including a plurality of touch elements for generating a respective tactile output, a connecting portion for securing the portable device to a handheld games controller, and a processor configured to receive the text information and to control the tactile output of at least some of the touch elements based on the received text information; the handheld games controller including a touch sensitive surface; and where the portable device is positioned over the touch sensitive surface, and pressure applied by a user onto the portable device is relayed to the touch sensitive surface of the handheld games controller.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for handling a fluid is provided. The apparatus comprising a reservoir having a basin which receives the fluid and at least a first port through which the fluid is evacuated; a pump housing including a fluid pump; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir through the first port of the reservoir and in fluid communication with the fluid pump; at least one sensor which provides an indication of a height of the fluid in the reservoir; and a conduit with a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, wherein the reservoir and the pump housing are external to the conduit.

Abstract: Access to state data by a client process such as state data in an Online Transaction Processing arrangement is controlled through generation of and exchanging of a dual-component token. The first component of the token is an Index value which indirectly points to a block of state data assigned to process or user. The second component of the token is a sequence value, such as a Random Unique Sequence value, which is also associated with the block of state data for a process. With each transaction request, a user process provides the token to the OLTP server, which then verifies the sequence numbers of the state data and the token match before allowing access to the data.

Abstract: A mail sorting system employing a modified mail conveyor in combination with a sorting table where articles of mail moving linearly in the direction of their longest dimension are deposited in a shingled pattern onto an angled sorting table surface provided with a conveyor so that the articles of mail are conveyed in the direction of their shortest dimension and in partial overlapping relationship.

Abstract: The sense circuit includes first and second inverters connected at their inputs to a signal input node and a reference node, respectively. The inverters are selectively biased to different quiescent points for charging the signal input node and the reference node to different quiescent voltage levels. Signals applied to the signal input and reference nodes cause the potential at these nodes to vary from their quiescent values. The inverters are selectively cross-coupled to form a flip flop whose binary value is determined by the outputs of the inverters. For the same value of signals applied to the two nodes the flip flop is set to the state dictated by the initial voltage offset due to the difference in the quiescent points of the inverters.

Abstract: The sense circuit includes first and second inverters, connected at their inputs to first and second nodes, respectively. The inverters are selectively cross-coupled by means of transmission gates whose conduction paths are connected between the output of the first and second inverters, respectively, and the inputs of the second and first inverters, respectively. The control electrodes of the transmission gates are coupled to the first and second nodes whereby the transmission gates are turned on and off in response to the voltage levels at the first and second nodes. In the operation of the circuit a precharge voltage, having a polarity and magnitude to turn off the transmission gates, is applied to the two nodes. Subsequently, first and second current signals, having a polarity to generate potentials to turn on the transmission gates, are applied to the first and second nodes, respectively, altering the potentials at the nodes until the transmission gates are turned on.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a logic function and its logical complement of N binary variables utilizing MOS transistors which are all of the same conductivity type. The circuit may include an N input NAND gate comprising N MOS transistors and a load element, the conduction paths of the transistors connected in series with the load element to form a first series circuit and an inverter circuit having N+1 MOS transistors, the conduction paths of which are connected in series to form a second series circuit. Each series circuit is connected between the same operating voltage terminals and the two are interconnected to one another in such manner that the power dissipation of the circuit compares favorably with a CMOS inverter.