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: 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: 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 matchmaking service that selects matches based on personal/social characteristics as well as skill and experience. 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: A Personal Game Services Commerce System is disclosed. The system allows a user to contract with another user to perform service within a virtual environment. The services may include operating in a virtual environment on behalf of another user, operating as a team member, or operating as an opponent in competition. Memory state may be copied and used by the service-providing user. The user requesting the service may confirm that the service has been satisfactorily rendered before making the copied memory state permanent and/or before paying for the service. Users may select service-providing users based on any available criteria. Funds to pay for the service may be frozen while the service is being performed and until the recipient of the service confirms successful performance of the service.

Abstract: Apparatus that provides working storage for large image and data processing systems. The apparatus comprises a computer bus, a high speed backplane bus, a local area network, a central processing unit coupled to the computer bus, an Ethernet local area network interface coupled between the computer bus and the local area network, a plurality of bidirectional input/output interface cards coupled to the computer bus and the backplane bus, and a plurality of disk modules coupled to the computer bus and the high speed backplane bus. Each interface card comprises a plurality of bidirectional input/output ports coupled to a plurality of user workstations, a fiber optic interface, and a FIFO buffer. Each disk module comprises a plurality of storage units, one of which provides for storage of parity bits and the remainder of which provides for storage of data, and a distribution card coupled to the plurality of storage units.

Abstract: A filter which uses both an analog portion and a digital portion to optimize the filter performance. A simple analog filter provides a rough filtering of the input signal. The output of the analog filter is converted into digital form and supplied to a digital filter. The coefficients of the digital filter are changed by a digital computer in order to correct for the errors in the filtered signal produced by the analog filter. The coefficients necessary for the digital filter to provide an error offset are determined by comparing the filtered value of a test signal through the analog filter to an ideal filtered value of such test signal.