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: A service that provides for setting up game sessions for a plurality of game players. A number of game players that each have a computing device capable of playing a computer game are linked together by the service. The service allows a player to set up a common game session so that a subset of the players can simultaneously start playing the game at the same level. Additionally, the service allows game competitions to be structured and played among a subset of the game players.

Abstract: A service that provides for setting up game sessions for a plurality of game players. A number of game players that each have a computing device capable of playing a computer game are linked together by the service. The service allows a player to set up a common game session so that a subset of the players can simultaneously start playing the game at the same level. Additionally, the service allows game competitions to be structured and played among a subset of the game players.

Abstract: A reputation of an on-line gamer is calculated in accordance with feedback about the gamer provided by other players. The gamer's reputation is determined in accordance with the number of players the gamer has encountered via game play, the number of players who have indicated that they prefer to play with the gamer again, and the number of players who have indicated that they prefer not to play with the gamer again. Parameters used to determine the gamer's reputation can be weighted and/or decayed to allow a more dynamic and temporally accurate determination of the gamer's reputation. Players can observe other players' reputations.

Abstract: A sensor system for generating sample analog signals for processing by a signal processing circuit that utilizes non-constant weights includes a plurality of signal generating elements and a switching network having a plurality of switches operably coupled to the plurality of signal generating elements. The switching network is configured to switch the plurality of signal generating elements between a plurality of different configurations. The system includes a dynamic element matching (DEM) control system for controlling the switch network to implement a second order DEM rotation scheme in which the plurality of signal generating elements are switched to each configuration in the plurality of configurations in a first sequence and then switched to each configuration in the plurality in a second sequence, the second sequence being the reverse of the first sequence.

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: 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: A service that receives feedback from players in a game playing service. The service provides an aggregation of the feedback so that a reputation score can be determined by various players in the system. The service takes into account direct feedback from other players about positive and negative experiences with a particular player and expectations about appropriate conduct and type of game being played before a player joins the game session.

Abstract: Groups are formed, in a computer-based (e.g., on-line) gaming environment, based on social relationships between players. Teams are formed from members of the group. Team formation is based on a game related interest. Each team is assigned an identity that is maintained within a single game and across multiple sessions of a game. The team can interact within the gaming environment much like an individual user can interact. Teams can play games with other in-group and out-of-group teams. Team members can play games with each other. Team statistics and achievements can be accumulated and aggregated. Team profiles provide information about the team, such as a list of the members of the team. Via team profiles, a member of a team can see information about other members of the team, such as other teams to which they belong. Team members can send and receive intra-team messages.

Abstract: A sensor system for generating sample analog signals for processing by a signal processing circuit that utilizes non-constant weights includes a plurality of signal generating elements and a switching network having a plurality of switches operably coupled to the plurality of signal generating elements. The switching network is configured to switch the plurality of signal generating elements between a plurality of different configurations. The system includes a dynamic element matching (DEM) control system for controlling the switch network to implement a second order DEM rotation scheme in which the plurality of signal generating elements are switched to each configuration in the plurality of configurations in a first sequence and then switched to each configuration in the plurality in a second sequence, the second sequence being the reverse of the first sequence.

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: Groups are formed, in a computer-based (e.g., on-line) gaming environment, based on social relationships between players. Teams are formed from members of the group. Team formation is based on a game related interest. Each team is assigned an identity that is maintained within a single game and across multiple sessions of a game. The team can interact within the gaming environment much like an individual user can interact. Teams can play games with other in-group and out-of-group teams. Team members can play games with each other. Team statistics and achievements can be accumulated and aggregated. Team profiles provide information about the team, such as a list of the members of the team. Via team profiles, a member of a team can see information about other members of the team, such as other teams to which they belong. Team members can send and receive intra-team messages.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: Provided is an enzymatic process that hydrolyzes spinach plant material to form a salt-enhancing ingredient, the formed salt-enhancing ingredient, food products comprising said salt-enhancing ingredient and a method of enhancing the salty taste of food products.

Abstract: Provided is an enzymatic process that hydrolyzes celery plant material to form a salt-enhancing ingredient, the formed salt-enhancing ingredient, food products comprising said salt-enhancing ingredient and a method of enhancing the salty taste of food products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: A resettable multi-stage sigma-delta analog-to-digital (A/D) converter enables a sampled analog signal to be resolve with fewer cycles than a resettable single sigma-delta A/D converter.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: A tire has an axis of rotation. The tire includes two sidewalls extending radially outward and a tread disposed radially outward of the two sidewalls and interconnecting the two sidewalls. The tread includes a main portion comprising a first compound and a reinforcing structure comprising a second compound having reinforcing short fibers oriented between ?20 degrees to +20 degrees to a circumferential direction of the tread. The main portion of the tread includes at least one circumferential groove separating circumferential ribs. Each circumferential groove has two sides and a base therebetween. The reinforcing structure includes a layer of the second compound secured to the sides of each circumferential groove.

Abstract: A resettable multi-stage sigma-delta analog-to-digital (A/D) converter enables a sampled analog signal to be resolve with fewer cycles than a resettable single sigma-delta A/D converter.