Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a sound effect for a video game. The method comprises: receiving a first sound effect file comprising one or more sound effect features; receiving a first animation representing an action in the video game; determining, based on the received animation, one or more constraints to be applied to the or each sound effect features; adjusting the or each sound effect feature so as to produce corresponding adjusted sound effect features satisfying the determined constraints; and generating a second sound effect file comprising the adjusted sound effect features.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an acoustic environment model for a video game level is provided. The method comprises: obtaining graphical data for visually rendering a gameplay environment of the video game level, the graphical data comprising a three-dimensional geometrical model for the gameplay environment, and generating, based on the graphical data, an acoustic environment model corresponding to the gameplay environment and adapted for the simulating of gameplay sounds therein.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an in-game audio output of a video gaming system, where the video gaming system comprises loudspeakers for outputting the in-game audio output and a user device comprising a microphone, the method comprising: outputting a calibration signal with the loudspeakers on a continual basis during use of the video gaming system, the calibration signal comprising an audio signal; receiving the calibration signal with the microphone of the user device and repeatedly determining the location of the user device relative to the loudspeakers based on the received calibration signal to monitor a varying location of the user during use of the video gaming system; repeatedly adjusting the in-game audio output based on the determined location of the user device during use of the video gaming system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of producing a video game environment. The method comprises receiving a representation of the video game environment, identifying a first object in the video game environment, and identifying, based on a graphical representation of the first object, one or more properties of the first object suitable for selecting a sound effect to be applied to the first object. A sound effect is applied to the first object in the video game environment based on the one or more identified properties.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a sound effect, comprising: obtaining a plurality of sounds; determining a common effect characteristic of the plurality of obtained sounds; obtaining a base sound; and generating the sound effect by applying the common effect characteristic to the base sound.

Abstract: A system for designing and generating a haptic output, the system comprising: a user device for editing and generating a haptic control signal, the user device comprising a hand-operated input device for receiving user inputs to set one or more parameters of a haptic control signal and a processor configured to generate the haptic control signal based on the set parameters; and a haptic actuator device configured to provide a haptic output to the user via a contact surface according to the haptic control signal, wherein the haptic actuator device is arranged such that the contact surface is maintained in contact with the user's hand during use, while permitting movement of the user's hand to operate the input device.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the audio output of a video gaming system during gameplay, the method comprising: measuring the usage of a processing unit of the video gaming system during gameplay, wherein the video gaming system is configured to output an audio stream comprising a plurality of audio components, the processing unit configured to process an audio data file to output each audio component; adjusting an output quality of one or more audio components of the audio stream in response to the measured usage of the processing unit. The method allows for dynamic adjustment of the audio output quality based on the capacity of the processing unit.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a coupling nut configured to at least partially surround a connector body. The coupling nut includes a first end and a second opposing end. The first end is configured to interface with a mating connector. The coupling nut further includes an inner thread portion located between the first and second ends; and a sealing member located at the first end. The sealing member has a base and a deformable wiper portion. The sealing member is configured to flex between deformed and non-deformed states when coupling the coupling nut to the mating connector. The base of the sealing member is in contact with an inner surface of the first end and the deformable wiper portion extends radially inwardly from the base.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a coupling nut configured to at least partially surround a connector body. The coupling nut includes a first end and a second opposing end. The first end is configured to interface with a mating connector. The coupling nut further includes an inner thread portion located between the first and second ends; and a sealing member located at the first end. The sealing member has a base and a deformable wiper portion. The sealing member is configured to flex between deformed and non-deformed states when coupling the coupling nut to the mating connector. The base of the sealing member is in contact with an inner surface of the first end and the deformable wiper portion extends radially inwardly from the base.

Abstract: An insurance company issues a property policy to a customer for property encumbered with an obligation to a creditor. The policy is to be issued to include an encumbrance clause as specified by the creditor. An identification of the creditor is provided to a clause database owned and maintained by a third party agent of the insurance company. The clause database determines that the identified creditor has an entry therein, retrieves from the entry the encumbrance clause as specified by the creditor, and returns the retrieved clause, which is received and inserted into the policy to be issued.

Abstract: A device of and method for an improved electrical contact is disclosed. The electrical contact includes a plurality of axially-aligned electrically conductive wires, each wire being in electrical contact with at least one other wire at a peripheral surface thereof; an electrically conductive inner sleeve disposed around the plurality of wires and having at least one slot extending axially from a leading end that is adapted to allow the inner sleeve to expand radially; an outer shell disposed around the inner sleeve for protecting at least a leading end of the plurality of wires and the inner sleeve; and an attaching portion disposed at a terminal end of the plurality of wires, the inner sleeve, and the outer shell, the attaching portion being in electrical contact with at least the plurality of wires and the inner sleeve and being adapted to place at least the plurality of wires and the inner sleeve in electrical contact with a first electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a shell, an insert arranged at least partially inside the shell, a contact supported by the insert, and a removable pin for connecting the contact to an inside surface of the shell. The connector is assembled by mounting the ground contact in the insert so that the a receiving hole in the insert is aligned with the pin receptacle on the ground contact. The pin is the slid through the pin receiving hole and into the pin receptacle before the shell is slid over the pin so that the pin abuts an inside surface of the shell and connects the contact to the shell.

Abstract: A front connector insert includes a removable front portion and a rear portion which is fixed in the connector. The rear portion retains the terminus of an optical fiber or electrical cable, with the removable front portion being removable to expose the terminus for cleaning or testing. The removable front portion includes a latching clip having a detent at one end which engages an indentation in the fixed portion of the insert when the removable portion of the insert is aligned with the fixed portion such that the clips align with grooves in the fixed insert. Removal of the removable portion of the insert is accomplished using a simple removal tool having an L-shaped extension which is inserted into a corresponding L-shaped recess in the front insert, the removal tool being rotated following insertion so that the removable insert can easily be removed from the connector to expose the optical fiber termini and contacts and permit testing or cleaning.