Abstract: The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can search a player's social network to find friends to play with. These social networks can be constructed implicitly by analyzing a player's game play information and other information.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the innovation provide adaptive equalization training for a receiver in a communication system. In certain embodiments, the receiver's coefficients are re-optimized while links are active and initialized.

Abstract: Example systems and methods related to player recruitment for acquiring rewards in an online game network is presented. In an example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. A player of the game is provided an asset based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement that includes a social requirement satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of people with the online game.

Abstract: Example systems and methods related to a social requirement for acquiring an asset, such as a reward, in an online game are presented herein. In one example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. Information describing a social network of friends of a player of the game is accessed. An asset is provided to the player based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement to acquire the asset. The acquisition requirement includes a social requirement that is satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of friends of the social network of the player with the online game.

Abstract: An image duplication prevention apparatus comprising: image duplication prevention means for, when a determining means of the image duplication prevention apparatus determines that a subset of metadata of an image to be transferred from a first location to a second location is identical to a corresponding subset of metadata of any image already stored at the second location, preventing the transfer of the image from the first location to the second location. The image duplication prevention means is further for, when the determining means determines that the subset of metadata of the image to be transferred is not identical to the corresponding subset of metadata of the any image already stored at the second location, allowing the transfer of the image from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for associating metadata with a media object that has been published on a plurality of social networks obtain a respective identifier by which the media object is identified on each of the plurality of social networks, retrieve metadata associated with the media object from each of the plurality of social networks using the corresponding identifier, and store the retrieved metadata in association with the media object.

Abstract: A system and method to identify the leader of a group in a retail, restaurant, or queue-type setting (or virtually any setting) through recognition of payment gestures. The method comprises acquiring initial video of a group, developing feature models for members of the group, acquiring video at a payment location, identifying a payment gesture in the acquired video, defining the person making the gesture as the leader of the group, and forwarding/backtracking through the video to identify timings associated with leader events (e.g., entering, exiting, ordering, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method for automatic classification and detection of a payment gesture are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a video stream from a camera placed above at least one region of interest, the region of interest classifying the payment gesture. A background image is generated from the obtained video stream. Motion is estimated in at least two consecutive frames from the video stream. A representation is created from the background image and the estimated motion occurring within the at least one region of interest. The payment gesture is detected based on the representation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system for automatically recognizing facial expressions at variable resolutions of video. According to one exemplary method, facial expressions are detected, extracted and classified from a video sequence based on an automatic localization of the periocular region associated with a detected and extracted face.

Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for storage, evaluation, and transmission of information related to suspicious underlying activity that in turn is related to financial transactions comprising: (1) a secure data processing center, wherein the secure data processing center receives, stores, and transmits reports related to suspicious underlying activity that in turn is related to financial transactions, the secure data processing center including therein a storage mechanism for the reports including a memory; (2) at least one terminal in communication with the secure data processing center, wherein the terminal transmits and receives the reports related to suspicious underlying activity that in turn is related to financial transactions; and (3) means for authenticating and controlling communication between the at least one terminal and the secure data processing center; wherein the storage of the reports in the secure data processing center modifies the state of the secure data processing center i

Abstract: A SAS expander includes a switch core, a number of SAS expander phys coupled to the switch core, an SMP originator coupled to the switch core and an SMP receptor coupled to the switch core. In an embodiment, the SMP originator is configured to only send connection requests and the SMP receptor is configured to only receive connection requests. Program instructions stored in non-transient digital storage media include code segments detecting a new connection request, code segments determining whether the new connection request is in conflict with an existing connection request and code segments determining if there is a free destination receptor phy. In an embodiment, the free destination receptor phy is never operationally used for an origination of a connection request.

Abstract: A compression bone screw (100) comprises a shank (110), a first element (120) and a second element (130). The shank (110) has longitudinally opposing first and second shank portions (111, 112). The first shank portion (111) is externally threaded with a first shank thread (113). The first element (120) is threadingly mounted on the first shank portion (111) by way of a first element internal thread (122) threadingly engaging the first shank thread (113). The first element (120) is externally threaded with a first element external thread (123). The second element (130) is mounted on, or integrally formed with, the second shank portion (112). The second element (130) is externally threaded with a second element external thread (133). The second element external thread (133) and the first element external thread (123) are like-handed.

Abstract: A method of enabling game features based on location-based actions is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A feature of the computer-implemented game is enabled based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A CAPTCHA challenge tool for determining if a user of a computer is a human or an automated program. The tool presents to the user a set of audio clips. At least a portion of the set of audio clips suggests a chronological sequence when organized correctly. The tool receives a suggested order from the user of the computer. If the suggested order matches the correct order, the tool assumes that the user is a human, if the suggested order does not match the correct order, the tool assumes the user is an automated program.

Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.

Abstract: A method of linking virtual items to real-world items is disclosed. A real-world item is associated with a virtual item of a virtual world of a computer-implemented game. A location-based action involving the real-world item is reflected in the virtual world of the computer implemented game.

Abstract: A computer program product stored including machine executable instructions stored on machine readable media, the instructions configured for performing automatic logic build processes and implementing autonomic quality checking, by implementing a method including: providing a model repository for holding at least one component; updating the model repository with at least one component; creating a tag for each sub-component of a selected component of the model repository; associating each tag with a latest version of each respective sub-component; and issuing a component submit notice to identify at least one of a dependency and a priority between selected components. A system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.