Abstract: A method and system provide for operating a three-dimensional (3D) computer animation and visual effects application (3D application). Execution of a multi-step 3D animation, modeling, or visual effects operation is initialized. Progression of the operation is controlled via a node-based state machine having a plurality of stage nodes daisy-chained via defined dependencies, each stage node including a condition attribute. Upon activation of a first stage node, a script associated with the first stage node that configures behavior of the 3D application is activated. Application events are monitored. A determination is made that the condition attribute of the first stage node has been satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the condition attribute, execution transitions to a subsequent stage node and a corresponding script is executed that modifies a scene state or animation state.

Abstract: Animation systems including an expressive deformation model configured to transform expression settings, pose settings, and a template mesh into an animatable mesh, a first generator branch configured to transform identity controls for the animatable mesh into base Gaussian attributes, a second generator branch configured to transform detail controls for the animatable mesh into residual Gaussian attributes, the system configured to embed the base Gaussian attributes and residual Gaussian attributes in UV maps of the animatable mesh and to combine the UV maps and the animatable mesh to form an animatable Gaussian representation of an object to animate.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a game controller configured to, for each game round of a game: select symbols from a first set that includes first special symbols for display in symbol positions associated with reels to form a game outcome; select a second special symbol from a second set and associate the selected second special symbol with an initial reel; associate each previously selected second special symbol with a subsequent reel or remove a previously selected second special symbol; evaluate the game outcome to determine any winning symbol combination occurring in the game outcome; for each reel, accumulate any first special symbol occurring in the game outcome and determine a prize value based on the accumulated first special symbols and any second special symbol associated with the reel when an accumulation threshold for the reel is met; and generate an award based on a total of prize values.

Abstract: A computer system is configured to remotely manage technical support for a plurality of computer peripherals, by performing the steps of: monitoring network connections between the computer system and the plurality of computer peripherals to collect usage information and error information; and in response to detecting that a first error occurred in a computer peripheral of the plurality of computer peripherals: storing, in an entry of a database, error information describing an occurrence of the first error; generating a first support code and storing the first support code in the entry of the database in association with the error information; transmitting the first support code to the computer peripheral to be displayed thereby; reading the error information from the entry of the database in response to receiving the first support code from a user device; and displaying the error information on a user interface (UI) of a customer support technician.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a game controller configured to, for each game round of a game: select symbols from a first set that includes first special symbols for display in symbol positions associated with reels to form a game outcome; select a second special symbol from a second set and associate the selected second special symbol with an initial reel; associate each previously selected second special symbol with a subsequent reel or remove a previously selected second special symbol; evaluate the game outcome to determine any winning symbol combination occurring in the game outcome; for each reel, accumulate any first special symbol occurring in the game outcome and determine a prize value based on the accumulated first special symbols and any second special symbol associated with the reel when an accumulation threshold for the reel is met; and generate an award based on a total of prize values.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed towards a computer-implemented method for training generative artificial intelligence (AI) models. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of training images; rendering, via a generative AI model, a plurality of synthetic images based on the plurality of training images; generating triplane loss metrics for the plurality of synthetic images by comparing the plurality of synthetic images against the plurality of training images; generating total variation (TV) loss metrics based on the triplane loss metrics; generating triplane compression loss metrics based on the triplane loss metrics; generating total loss metrics based on the TV loss metrics and the triplane compression loss metrics; and performing at least one backpropagation operation based on the total loss metrics to update weights associated with the generative AI model to generate an updated generative AI model.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed towards a computer-implemented method for rendering video content. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of decompressing compressed video content to generate decompressed video content, wherein the decompressed video content includes a plurality of normalized triplanes; de-normalizing the plurality of normalized triplanes to generate a plurality of modified triplanes; performing neural rendering operations to generate a plurality of final images via ray tracing based on the plurality of modified triplanes; and displaying the plurality of final images as rendered video content via a display device. Another embodiment is directed towards a computer-method for generating compressed video content. Yet another embodiment is directed towards a computer-implemented method for training generative artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed towards a computer-implemented method for generating compressed video content. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of triplanes associated with video content; extracting channel range values from each triplane included in the plurality of triplanes; normalizing the plurality of triplanes based on the channel range values to generate a plurality of normalized triplanes; storing the channel range values with the plurality of normalized triplanes; generating a plurality of tiled triplanes based on the plurality of normalized triplanes; compressing the plurality of tiled triplanes to generate compressed video content; and transmitting the compressed video content to an endpoint device. Another embodiment is directed towards a computer-method for rendering video content. Yet another embodiment is directed towards a computer-implemented method for training generative artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Abstract: Systems and method for imaging a sample of a top surface of a sample coverslip which capture a sample image of the sample on the top surface of the sample coverslip using an objective lens disposed underneath the sample coverslip. Capture reference image data obtained from light reflected from a top surface of a calibration coverslip, capture test image data obtained from light reflected from a top surface of the sample coverslip, process die reference image data and the test image data to produce a calculated point spread function associated with the objective lens and the coverslip in use, and deconvolve the sample image using the calculated point spread function to thereby reduce artifacts from the sample image.

Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a display, and a game controller that at least: selects a first set of symbols, causes the display to display the first set of symbols at a first set of display positions and conducts a random selection process so that a second set of display positions has an overlapping spatial relationship with a first set of display positions. The random selection process includes a first type of outcome where a designated number of special symbols is selected and a second type of outcome where less than the designated number of special symbols is selected. Upon the occurrence of the second type of outcome, the game controller displays the less than the designated number of special symbols selected at either individual ones of the first set of display positions or of the second set of display positions, and triggers a feature game for conducting feature game play.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for sharing of collaborative documents with users via instant messaging. In one aspect, a collaborative application is configured to display one or more user interfaces associated with a collaborative application that allows a user to engage in a real-time chat between and among one or more users. The collaborative application may also present one or more user interfaces that allow the user to select one or more references of collaborative documents stored at a remote document datastore, and then share these references of collaborative documents with one or more users in the real-time chat. In one example, these references may be represented in real-time chat as a user interface element that visually present the collaborative document title and associated collaborative document pictogram or icon.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a display, and a game controller that at least: selects a first set of symbols, causes the display to display the first set of symbols at a first set of display positions and conducts a random selection process so that a second set of display positions has an overlapping spatial relationship with a first set of display positions. The random selection process includes a first type of outcome where a designated number of special symbols is selected and a second type of outcome where less than the designated number of special symbols is selected. Upon the occurrence of the second type of outcome, the game controller displays the less than the designated number of special symbols selected at either individual ones of the first set of display positions or of the second set of display positions, and triggers a feature game for conducting feature game play.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) a current symbol position state defining, for each of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, a number of symbol positions for which symbols are to be selected; (b) a pay table; and (c) instructions. The instructions cause the processor to control the display to display a plurality of columns of symbol positions corresponding to the current symbol position state, select symbols for the displayed symbol positions by selecting stopping positions of a plurality of reel strips, wherein at least one of the reel strips comprises at least one designated symbol, evaluate the symbols for winning combinations based on the pay table, and responsive to the selected symbols of a column including a designated symbol, modify the symbol position state for the respective column to include at least one additional symbol position for a next symbol selection.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control display of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, where each column of symbol positions includes a plurality of symbols. The processor is also configured to select the symbols for each column and simulate display of the first reel strip stopping prior to simulating display of the second reel strip stopping, whereby a sub-category of prize associated with a prize sub-category symbol is indicated to a player of the electronic gaming machine prior to indicating a category of prize associated with a prize category symbol. The processor is also configured to determine whether a first column includes the prize sub-category symbol as well as whether a second column includes the prize category symbol. If the prize sub-category and prize category symbols are included, the processor is also configured to provide an award.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display device to display a plurality of columns of symbol positions, where each symbol position includes a symbol selected from a set of symbols. The processor is also configured to determine whether any of the symbol positions include a designated symbol, and if so, to: i) control the display device to hold the designated symbol in the symbol position for at least one subsequent game instance of a series of game instances, and ii) increase a multiplier used in determining a game award from a first multiplier to a second, larger, multiplier. The processor is also configured to evaluate the symbols included in each symbol position to determine whether a winning combination of symbols is displayed. If a winning combination of symbols is displayed, the processor also calculates a game award using one of the first multiplier or the second multiplier.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) a current symbol position state defining, for each of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, a number of symbol positions for which symbols are to be selected; (b) a pay table; and (c) instructions. The instructions cause the processor to control the display to display a plurality of columns of symbol positions corresponding to the current symbol position state, select symbols for the displayed symbol positions by selecting stopping positions of a plurality of reel strips, wherein at least one of the reel strips comprises at least one designated symbol, evaluate the symbols for winning combinations based on the pay table, and responsive to the selected symbols of a column including a designated symbol, modify the symbol position state for the respective column to include at least one additional symbol position for a next symbol selection.