Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that support security-aware compression of machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as for use by edge computing systems. Aspects described herein leverage cybersecurity threat models, particularly models of ML/AI-based threats, during iterative pruning to improve security of compressed ML models. To illustrate, iterative pruning may be performed on a pre-trained ML model until stop criteria are satisfied. This iterative pruning may include pruning an input ML model based on pruning heuristic(s) to generate a candidate ML model, testing the candidate ML model based on attack model(s) to generate risk assessment metrics, and updating the heuristic(s) based on the risk assessment metrics. If the risk assessment metrics fail to satisfy the stop criteria, the candidate ML model may be provided as input to a next iteration of the iterative pruning.

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: Microscope imaging system and method for bolus formation and detection. In an exemplary method, immersion fluid may be delivered onto a front end of an objective of the imaging system to form one or more boluses. Each bolus may have a rounded outer surface intersected by an optical axis defined by the objective. At least a portion of each bolus may be illuminated. Light may be detected from each illuminated bolus to create detection data. A value representing a size of each bolus may be determined using the detection data. Delivery of the immersion fluid may be adjusted, if needed, based on the value(s) determined.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) a jackpot prize meter, (b) a current award value for awarding the jackpot prize, (c) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising prize value symbols and non-prize value symbols and (d) instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor, they cause the processor to select symbols from the set of reel strips for a plurality of symbol positions, control the display to display the selected symbols at their respective symbol positions, upon the displayed symbols including at least one but fewer than a threshold number of prize value symbols, increment the jackpot prize meter, and upon the value of the jackpot prize meter reaching the current award value, award the current award value.

Abstract: Described herein are a system, apparatus, device, method, and/or computer program product embodiments and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof for displaying a live database record in a chat session. In a given embodiment, a collaborative communications system may cause display of a subset of fields the database record in a chat session. The collaborative communications system may detect activation of the chat session. The collaborative communications system may retrieve the current values of the subset of fields. Upon retrieval, the collaborative communications system causes display of the subset of fields of the database record including an updated value for a field in the chat session.

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: 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) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising special symbols and regular symbols; and (b) instructions. The reel strips are used to select symbols to populate positions of a playing field shown on the display. When two or more of the same special symbols occupy adjacent positions of the playing field, they may merge into a single position occupied by one of the special symbols in question. If three or more special symbols are adjacent, all merge into a single position and a higher-value special symbol. This merge may be signaled by a graphic such as an animation or image, a sound, a light, a vibration, or other audiovisual or haptic indicator. The higher-value special symbol thus replaces one of the adjacent special symbols while the rest are removed or disappear.

Abstract: A method and system for autofocusing an objective lens in a microscope system are disclosed. A decentered aperture is disposed in an optical path between an objective lens and an image plane of an image capturing device and a plurality of reference images are captured. Each reference image is captured when the objective lens is positioned at a corresponding z-position of a plurality of z-positions along an axis of travel of the objective lens and the optical path is at least partially occluded by the decentered aperture. At least one reference image of the plurality of the reference images is associated with a best focus position. The plurality of reference images are analyzed to develop a plurality of pattern locations, wherein each pattern location represents a position of a pattern formed on the image plane when a corresponding reference image was captured. The objective lens is positioned in accordance with the best focus position and the plurality of pattern locations.

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: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved display system for a gaming system comprising a bank of gaming machines. In particular embodiments, the display system comprises display elements that are spatially arranged relative to one another in a manner such that when an animation is displayed on the display elements, the spatial arrangement of the display elements relative to each other interacts with the animation to provide a greater apparent depth in the animation. In some embodiments, the display system further comprises a display element positioned between each pair of adjacent gaming machines and controlled to display a graphical representation indicative of a level of a jackpot, which representation is updated as players place wagers on the gaming machines. Methods for operating the gaming system comprising elements of the improved display system are also provided.

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 column of symbol positions includes a plurality of symbols selected from an associated reel strip of a plurality of reel strips. The processor is also configured to select the symbols for each column, and control the display device to simulate stopping the first reel strip prior to controlling the display device to simulate stopping the second reel strip, 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.

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: Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may be used to provide bonus games that are associated with two different classes of awards, e.g., one or more first awards and one or more second awards. The first award(s) may generally be much more desirable to players than the second award(s), e.g., the first awards may be large-denomination jackpot awards, whereas the second awards may be small-denomination credit awards, e.g., non-jackpot awards. During play of such bonus games, selection of a stop position associated with a second award may cause that stop position to be instead associated with one of the one or more first awards for future play of the bonus game, thereby increasing the opportunities to win a first award in subsequent play of the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising special symbols and regular symbols; and (b) instructions. The reel strips are used to select symbols to populate positions of a playing field shown on the display. When two or more of the same special symbols occupy adjacent positions of the playing field, they may merge into a single position occupied by one of the special symbols in question. If three or more special symbols are adjacent, all merge into a single position and a higher-value special symbol. This merge may be signaled by a graphic such as an animation or image, a sound, a light, a vibration, or other audiovisual or haptic indicator. The higher-value special symbol thus replaces one of the adjacent special symbols while the rest are removed or disappear.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.

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. When the instructions are executed by the processor 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 selected 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: The disclosed technology relates to a method, system, and device for gaming including the display of a plurality of game symbols, each game symbol associated with one of at least two possible game actions. The game symbols associated with a first game action are displayed including a numerical prize value. Gameplay includes the selection of game symbols. In the event that a game symbol associated with a first game action is selected, its corresponding numerical prize value is award, for example added to a cumulative bonus prize, and the game symbol is then associated with the second game action. Typically, the visual representation of the game symbol is also changed, for example, the numerical prize value is removed.