Abstract: Racing games and other computer-implemented games having garage, showroom and test drive features are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a racing game in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes displaying a plurality of cars in a simulated showroom setting. Game players can roam freely about the showroom in first-person mode and inspect the cars in close detail. If a player desires, he or she can test drive one or more of the cars to assess its performance before competing in a racing event with the car.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial lenses containing coated zeolites and methods for their production.

Abstract: A computer-based, multi-player, on-line, game session is capable of being joined while the session is in progress without requiring an invitation from the host of the game session. A player can join the game session via a set of User Interfaces (UIs) provided by the gaming system. The player is not required to contact the host prior to joining the game session. A game session is joinable if slots are available for additional players, the host has not declared the game session private, the player requesting to join the game session is not currently in the game session, and parental controls have not be set preventing the player from joining the game session.

Abstract: A recorded race is downloaded from an online gaming service. The recorded race is associated with a game program. The game program is launched on a game console. The recorded race is applied to the game program executing on the game console such that the recorded race controls a first vehicle moving through a course. Control inputs are received from an input device coupled to the game console. The control inputs control a second vehicle moving through the course.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing devices with stable surface coatings, which coatings are one or both of hydrophilic and antimicrobial.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial lenses containing coated zeolites and methods for their production.

Abstract: Systems and method for providing a game achievements system where players are rewarded with game achievements based on mastering certain in-game facets of the games they play. Each game achievement may be conveyed in a profile as a badge or trophy, title, description, date, etc. Players may also accumulate points based on game achievements. A display interface may be made available such that a player may see his achievements and total points, as well as those of others.

Abstract: Information is shared among users in a system by the use of a service. The service receives information from at least two different game applications that each have a configuration file (defined with a common schema) that defines information from the game application to share with a service. An intermediary program executing on a computer that is also executing one of said game applications receives information from the application as defined by said configuration files and stores at least a portion of the information received from the application. At least a portion of the information is sent to the service when the intermediary is in communication with the service over a network wherein the service provides information about a user of said at least two game applications based on information received by said service.

Abstract: Racing games and other computer-implemented games having garage, showroom and test drive features are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a racing game in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes displaying a plurality of cars in a simulated showroom setting. Game players can roam freely about the showroom in first-person mode and inspect the cars in close detail. If a player desires, he or she can test drive one or more of the cars to assess its performance before competing in a racing event with the car.

Abstract: A system and method provides for managing data accessible by multimedia consoles that execute a multimedia application. The system includes a database that stores data for the multimedia consoles. The system also includes a storage manager that communicates between the multimedia consoles and the database. The system further includes a storage configuration database that stores access permission information for the database. In determining whether to grant the request, the system uses the access permission information from the storage configuration database. This abstraction of access permission information from the databases themselves to the storage configuration database may provide flexibility in managing the databases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for managing data accessible by multimedia consoles that execute a multimedia application. The system includes databases that store data for the multimedia consoles. Each database may have a different permission access associated with it, such that, multimedia titles, users, publishers, team members, and the like, each have an associated database with appropriate access permissions.

Abstract: A heat induced rotating ornament that comprises a rotating bearer (1) with an ornament (8) fixed to its external surface, a vertical rod (2) and base (3) that support the rotating bearer (1) and a light source emitting heat (5); said ornament has its partial side surface made to be vanes evenly distributed with air-vane rake face and air exit as driving vanes (11); said rotating bearer (1) has a short vertical downward taper rod (14) at its inner top; the vertical rod (2) has a taper recess (231) at its top and the rotating bearer (1) has its short taper rod (14) put into the recess (231) at the top of the vertical rod (2); the light source emitting heat (5) warms the air in proximity and forms a rising air flow that acts on the driving vanes (11) in the ornament to produce lateral pushing force, thus driving the rotating bearer (1) and the ornament (8) fixed in the external surface rotate around the short taper rod (14), which is the supporting point, in the taper recess (231) at the top of the vertical rod

Abstract: A recorded race is downloaded from an online gaming service. The recorded race is associated with a game program. The game program is launched on a game console. The recorded race is applied to the game program executing on the game console such that the recorded race controls a first vehicle moving through a course. Control inputs are received from an input device coupled to the game console. The control inputs control a second vehicle moving through the course.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial lenses containing coated zeolites and methods for their production.

Abstract: Improved homogeneity and uniformity of surface energy characteristics in a mold surface for hydrophilic contact lens production is achieved with the temporal application of a surface active agent such as Tween 80, to facilitate wetting of the optical surface of the mold, especially the convex mold, with the reactive monomer mix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition of polystyrene or polypropylene with at least 0.5% (w/w)of an additive or wetting agent, the article of manufacture comprised thereof, such as a mold for making contact lenses and the mold assembly containing said mold, and the use of such mold so to minimize defects, such as holes, puddles, chips and tears in the lens.

Abstract: Hydrophilic contact lens molds are transiently modified to provide a water dynamic contact angle equal to or less than 100.degree. by treatment with a wetting agent which may be water or a surfactant composition which provides a mold surface having a water wetting force of at least 70 mg to afford a reduction in lens hole defects in hydrophilic contact lens manufacture.