Abstract: Methods for game aim assist are provided. In electronic games, a game player may control the actions of a game character within a game environment. The game environment, which includes a focus area, may be displayed from a perspective of or with respect to a game character. During game play, one or more objects may be detected in the focus area. One of the objects may then be selected based on the distance between the object and the center of the focus area. The aim of the game character is then automatically adjusted toward the selected object, which allows the game player to direct an attack action on the object.

Abstract: An information processing device configured to play a game based on battle parameters generated from pictures includes an input unit inputting a picture drawn by a user; a display unit displaying on a left or right side of a display area of the display unit the input picture drawn by the user by arranging the input picture input by the input unit; a picture reverse unit processing the picture input by the input unit by mirror-reversal of the input picture; a generating unit for generating battle parameters being used for the game using a feature value of the picture input by the input unit; and an executing unit executing the game based on the battle parameters generated by the generating unit, wherein the picture to be displayed on the left side of the display area of the display unit is processed by mirror-reversal by the picture reverse unit.

Abstract: A system for a-synchronous multi-player network-based and turn-based gaming, the system comprising: a client associated with a processing unit and being configured to communicate over a network with a gaming server and receive a tournament invitation and at least one game move notification therefrom; the client is further configured to receive participation authorization indication from a player and instruct the processing unit to perform at least the following: send the participation authorization to the gaming server; receive at least one game move instruction from a player within a time interval parameter defining a time-window during which said player has to make a game move in his turn; and send the game move instruction to the gaming server if the time interval is met.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention monitor and dynamically manage game instances within a game service. A game service provides a remote gaming environment to which users connect over a wide area network, such as the Internet. For example, embodiments of the invention may forecast demand for a specific game title. The demand forecast is used to determine how many standby game instances are needed to meet demand as players join and leave game sessions. Games with higher demand may have more standby game instances ready for players to drop in. Games with less demand may have fewer active game instances running waiting for players to drop in.

Abstract: Recommendations for in-game content are provided to players of an online game. An instance of a virtual space is executed in which an online game is conducted and implemented to facilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space to users through client computing platforms associated with the users. Device specification sets of the client computing devices are determined and recommendations for in-game content are presented to the users based on the obtained device specification sets of the client computing devices associated with the users.

Abstract: A CAPTCHA system uses images/pictures and/or motion for granting access to a computing system. The images can be culled from examples used in pictorial games, and can progressively presented to increase the strength of the CAPTCHA challenges. Speech recognition, motion and touch sensing can also be employed as parts of the challenge.

Abstract: A game control server apparatus includes an enemy character providing unit that provides a normal enemy character and a strong enemy character in a game; and a game management control unit that repeats for a first period, a normal step of providing the normal enemy character to appear in the game, a determining step of determining whether an appearance condition of the strong enemy character is satisfied, and a strong step of providing the strong enemy character when the appearance condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a smart ping mechanism are presented. For example, an example embodiment may generate a game board on a first client device and a second client device. Then, the embodiment may detect, from the first client device, user activation of a smart ping mechanic. Responsive to detecting the user activation, the embodiment may generate, on the first client device, one or more user selectable communication artifacts based at least in part on contextual data derived from the game board. Then, responsive to detecting a user selection of one of the user selectable communication artifacts, the embodiment may surface the selected communication artifact to the second client device.

Abstract: Provided is an infant toy mobile including a hub rotatable about a first axis and at least one object support articulated to the hub and being configured for articulation thereto of at least two geometric objects, and further being configured for rotation with respect to the hub about a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: A module structured for use with a toy is provided. The module includes a light emitting assembly. The light emitting assembly has a circuit board and a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes an attachment portion coupled to the circuit board and an end portion opposite the attachment portion. The module further includes a housing, the housing having a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from the containing portion at a junction. The stabilizing portion is structured to engage the toy and the containing portion is located on the light emitting assembly. The end portion is located between the junction and the circuit board.

Abstract: An automation and motion control system for theatrical objects, such as theatrical props, cameras, stunt persons, lighting, scenery, drapery or other similar types of devices or items, is provided to coordinate the movement of the objects on a large scale and/or to control the operation of the objects.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer suitable for use in ultrasonic metering of fluids at extreme temperatures. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric crystal, low-density epoxy encasing the piezoelectric crystal, and a cylindrical reinforcing sleeve embedded in the low-density epoxy. The sleeve includes fiber mesh, and surrounds the piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: Water decontamination systems including one or more of an aerator module, a separator tower, and a contamination gas treatment system are described herein. Such systems are capable of removing contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, from the water. Certain volatile organic contaminants can be removed at high efficiencies. The systems may be automated to remove the contaminants and produce cleaned water on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A structured packing formed of a plurality of corrugated, rectangular sheets and a method relating to the use thereof. End regions of the corrugations are provided with straight, parallel corrugations extending inwardly from opposed edges of the sheets and a right angles thereto to reduce pressure drop at the interfaces between packing layers and thereby increase hydraulic capacity. Contact is promoted between descending liquid and ascending vapor phases within a main region of the corrugations that have straight, parallel sections of the corrugations oriented at an acute angle to the opposed edges. Transition regions having arcuate sections of the corrugations connect corrugations within the main and end regions to reduce internal pressure drop within the structured packing and thereby further reduce pressure drop at the interfaces and further increase the hydraulic capacity.

Abstract: Cross flow trays are provided with a support system. The support system interconnects the upper cross flow tray to a downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to provide support for the upper tray. In some aspects, the support system may also interconnect the downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to an upper tray of an underlying pair, providing additional support for the assembly. Such tray assemblies may facilitate easier installation without impeding the performance of the column.

Abstract: Method of contacting a first and a second immiscible liquids without mixing them, including: (a) the first liquid is placed in at least one container comprising a wall made of a solid material that is non reactive with the first and second liquids, said wall having one or more through-holes and the first liquid being non wetting vis à vis said solid material of the wall; (b) said first container is immersed in a volume of the second liquid so that the first liquid is in contact with the second liquid at the level of said through-holes; (c) the first liquid is left in contact with the second liquid for a time sufficient for mass exchange, transfer, to take place between the first and second liquids; and (d) said first container is withdrawn from the volume of the second liquid.

Abstract: A porous substrate capable of adsorptive filtration of a fluid having a porous self-supporting substrate and one or more porous, adsorptive polymeric coatings comprising from about 1 to about 80% of the void volume of the pores of the substrate. The resultant substrate has good convective and diffusive flow and capacity. The substrate may be cross-linked, have one or more capture chemistries attached to it and is useful as a chromatography media for the selective filtration of desired species including biomolecules such as proteins and DNA fragments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for washing a filter (F) having at least two layers of filtering media (4, 5) for raw water containing components having a tendency to form cakes (M), in particular for seawater, the layers of filtering media being supported by a base (6) comprising pass-through openings and provided with nozzles (6a) enabling air and/or wash water to be injected, the raw water flowing through the layers from top to bottom and the treated water being recovered at the lower portion of the filter, and which comprises at least one spillway (D) at the upper portion thereof for collecting the wash water.

Abstract: A device for filtering a plastic melt, having a housing that has at least one inlet passage and at least one outlet passage for the plastic melt. The at least one inlet passage is separated from the at least one outlet passage by at least one filter cavity for accommodating at least one filter piston that is axially displaceable therein. The at least one filter piston has at least one filter base body with a filter surface with filter openings passing through the filter base body there, through which openings the plastic melt passes into a filtrate cavity in the filter base body. The filtrate cavity is fluidically connected to the at least one outlet passage, and the filter surface of the filter base body is enclosed by a flexible, elastic filter screen in such a manner that this filter screen can be clamped onto the filter base body there.

Abstract: Provided is a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane having a PF value of 36 or more and a mass per unit area of 0.90 g/m2 or less. The PF value is determined by the following equation: PF value={?log(PT (%)/100)/(PL(Pa)/9.8)}×100. PT (permeability) is determined by PT (%)=100?CE (%), CE (collection efficiency) is determined by a value measured using dioctyl phthalate particles with a particle diameter of 0.10 ?m to 0.20 ?m under a condition of a permeate flow rate of 5.3 cm/sec, and PL (pressure loss) is determined by a value measured under a condition of a permeate flow rate of 5.3 cm/sec. This porous PTFE membrane is suitable for air filter media.

Abstract: A sulfur particulates remover is provided for removing sulfur particulates from gaseous streams generated in sulfur storage tanks and other types of sulfur containers and carriers. More than 90% of the sulfur particulates are easily removed in most cases. The sulfur particulates remover comprises a conical or prismatic shell structure equipped with vibrators, a cover plate and a stack or similar venting means. A deflector may be mounted inside the shell structure. This system is typically installed on the roof of a liquid sulfur storage tank, pit or other sulfur container using conventional hardware. The lower portion of the particulates remover is preferably a substantially round pipe to which a conical upper portion is attached by welding means or by means of bolts or a support flange. No steam, cooling water or any other external-source heating or cooling is necessary in the operation of the system.

Abstract: A filter element may include filter media having an elongated hollow passage extending along a longitudinal axis and between a first end and a second end, with the filter media having an exterior surface. The filter element may also include first and second fins associated with and extending radially from the exterior surface of the filter media. The filter media may include a first filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the first filtration zone being associated with a first portion of the filter media. The filter media may also include a second filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the second filtration zone being associated with a second portion of the filter media.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring the end of service life of a filter cartridge include a demand substance, a sensing element with a detection point located within or adjacent to the demand substance, a reader for the sensing element, and a fluid delivery device. The detection point of the sensing element is correlated to the service life of a filter cartridge. The correlation is effected by correlation of the residence time of the monitoring device to the residence time of a filter cartridge. The residence time of the monitoring device is correlated to the residence time of the filter cartridge by control of the fluid delivery parameters of the fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery parameters include the flow rate, the demand substance mass, the receptacle cross sectional area, the receptacle volume, the receptacle length, and the demand substance packing density of the monitoring device.

Abstract: An inflator (40) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a primary stage (50) actuatable to produce a primary flow of inflation fluid, a secondary stage (100) actuatable to produce a secondary flow of inflation fluid, and a filter chamber (150) into which the primary and secondary flows of inflation fluid are directed. The inflator (40) also includes a secondary filter assembly (120) that permits the secondary flow of inflation fluid to flow into the filter chamber (150) and blocks particulates from flowing from the filter chamber into the secondary stage (100).

Abstract: A filter element, a safety element and fluid cleaner assembly. The fluid cleaner assembly generally includes a housing having a cover and a primary fluid cleaner section. The element generally comprises z-filter media, arranged in a straight through configuration, and an axial seal gasket positioned to extend continuously around at outer perimeter of the straight through flow construction. The fluid cleaner assembly can have a precleaner positioned therein. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle atmosphere purifying apparatus including an ozone purifying body, in which activated charcoal is coated on a core portion of radiators and a condenser, respectively. If water adheres to pores of activated charcoal or areas surrounding the pores, ozone becomes hard to enter mesopores and micropores. Even if ozone enters, an electron becomes hard to donate from the activated charcoal to the ozone. Consequently, the performance of the activated charcoal decreases while water is adhered thereto. When an amount of moisture adhered to activated charcoal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, moisture desorption control is executed that forcibly heats the activated charcoal to a high temperature to desorb the moisture therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dehumidification apparatus and a method of regenerating desiccant material of a dehumidifier. The apparatus comprises a boiler and a desiccant dehumidifier, in which the boiler is coupled to the dehumidifier such that a heated air stream produced by the boiler is channelled to the dehumidifier to provide regeneration air for desiccant material of the dehumidifier. The present invention provides an advantage that low grade heat from a boiler is being used as a cheap heat source for the absorption dehumidifier. The dehumidifier may be a separate part for retrofitting to a boiler, or may alternatively be integrated with the boiler as a single unit.

Abstract: For separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream, a substantially moisture free gas stream is produced using a first temperature swing adsorption (TSA), a first pressure swing adsorption (PSA), a first vacuum swing adsorption (VSA), membrane separation, a first absorption, or any combination thereof. CO2 is captured from the substantially moisture free gas stream and substantially dry CO2 depleted stream is produced using a second TSA, a second PSA, a second VSA, or a second absorption with a non-aqueous solvent with or without a chemical reaction. Adsorbents and/or absorbents used during moisture removal are regenerated using the substantially dry CO2 depleted stream.

Abstract: Acid gas is removed from a high pressure feed gas that contains significant quantities of CO2 and H2S. In especially preferred configurations and methods, feed gas is contacted in an absorber with a lean and an ultra-lean solvent that are formed by flashing rich solvent and stripping a portion of the lean solvent, respectively. Most preferably, the flash vapors and the stripping overhead vapors are recycled to the feed gas/absorber, and the treated feed gas has a CO2 concentration of less than 2 mol % and a H2S concentration of less than 10 ppmv, and more typically less than 4 ppmv.

Abstract: A method for filtration of harmful gas effluents from an industrial installation including the steps of providing a gas effluent from an industrial installation, the gas effluent including a mixture of gases; filtering the harmful, elements from the gas effluent by membrane separation through a plurality of membranes, the membrane separation being achieved by sifting, sorption and/or diffusion, each membrane being adapted for filtering a specific harmful element; sorting the filtered harmful elements and storing them in separate storage reservoirs, and discharging the processed gas effluent to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for separating off acid gases from a water-comprising fluid stream wherein the water-comprising fluid stream is contacted in an absorption zone with an absorbent, producing a deacidified fluid stream and an acid gas-loaded absorbent; the deacidified fluid stream is contacted in a scrubbing zone with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, producing a deaminated, deacidified fluid stream and an amine-loaded scrubbing liquid which is cooled, producing an absorber top condensate; the loaded absorbent is passed into a desorption zone producing a regenerated absorbent and desorbed acid gases; the regenerated absorbent is returned to the absorption zone in order to form an absorbent circuit, to which the amine-loaded scrubbing liquid and the absorber top condensate are introduced; and the desorbed acid gases are conducted through an enrichment zone and the acid gases exiting at the top of the enrichment zone are cooled, producing a desorber top condensate.

Abstract: A filter system and method for capturing and treating HAPs and VOCs. The system has one or more dual pass filters. Each pass filter has a media bed with a plurality of VOC digesting microbes. Fluid from a holding tank containing additional microbes may be used to regenerate the media beds by transferring the fluid from the holding tank to the dual pass filter. Any one of the dual pass filters may be isolated from the flow of HAPs for regeneration of the media bed. Any one of the dual pass filters may also be isolated from fluid communication with the holding tank while in service in capturing HAPs and/or VOCs. The filter system being contained in a highly mobile enclosure.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalyst device includes a catalyst support including a ceramics, on which a catalyst is supported, a pair of surface electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the catalyst support, the surface electrodes being disposed opposite to each other and extending in an axial direction of the catalyst support, and a wiring line that externally supplies electric power to the surface electrodes, in which the catalyst support is electrically heated through the surface electrodes. A wrought member made of metal is buried in the surface electrodes, the wrought member extending in the axial direction of the catalyst support. With the configuration like this, the spreading of electric currents in the catalyst-support axis direction can be maintained even when cracks occur in the catalyst-support circumference direction in the surface electrodes.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes first particles of oxygen storage material, second particles of one or more rare-earth elements other than cerium and/or compounds thereof interposed between the first particles, and third particles of one or more precious metal elements interposed between the first particles, wherein a spectrum of a characteristic X-ray intensity for one of the rare-earth element(s) and a spectrum of a characteristic X-ray intensity for one of the precious metal element(s) that are obtained by performing a line analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry along a length of 500 nm have a correlation coefficient of 0.68 or more.

Abstract: An aftertreatment subsystem includes first and second mounting interfaces, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet interface, and aftertreatment components, each having a central axis and axial extent. The central axes for the aftertreatment components are substantially parallel. End caps define fluid chambers that fluidly couple upstream aftertreatment component outlets with downstream aftertreatment components inlets. The end caps are positioned at a first or second end of the aftertreatment components. A first bracket joins the aftertreatment components at an axial position closer to the first end than to a center of the axial extent of any of the aftertreatment components and a second bracket joins the aftertreatment components at an axial position closer to the second end than to the center of the axial extent of any of the aftertreatment components. The first mounting interface is on the first bracket, and the second mounting interface is on the second bracket.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a methodology, procedure, system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided to obtain particular information relating to at least one transport property of a material containing at least one membrane, and to determine, e.g., a permeability of the membrane of the material and/or a surface area of the membrane of the material, as a function of, e.g., the obtained particular information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ventilation member attachable to a housing having an opening for ventilation. This ventilation member includes: a support including: a base portion adapted to form an air passage between an interior space and an exterior space of the housing; and a leg portion extending from the base portion and adapted to be fitted into the opening; an air-permeable membrane disposed on the support to cover the air passage; and a sealing member made of a resin and placed at a root of the leg portion of the support. This sealing member has a compression set of 10% or less when measured under conditions of a test temperature of 100° C. and a test time of 100 hours in accordance with JIS K 6262. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ventilation member suitable for preventing water from entering a housing even during a high-pressure car wash test using high-temperature water.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes comprising polymer and having well-balanced permeability, shutdown temperature, and pin puncture strength. The invention also relates to methods for making such membranes, and the use of such membranes as battery separator film in, e.g., lithium ion secondary batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas separation membrane comprising as a main component a polyacetal, wherein the polyacetal contains 1.5 to 10 mol of an oxyalkylene unit based on 100 mol of an oxymethylene unit. The gas separation membrane of the present invention has high carbon dioxide gas separating ability and high permeability rate to carbon dioxide gas and is advantageously used as a separation membrane for carbon dioxide gas contained in exhaust gas.

Abstract: A fluid mixer in the form of a Venturi tube includes a divergent section (A2) with a steady contour curve having at least two inflection points (W1, W2) to reduce flow separations.

Abstract: Multi Fluid Injection Mixer for injecting gas and/or liquid as admixture fluid to gas and/or liquid flowing through a pipe, and homogeneously mixing the admixture fluids and pipe fluids, said injection mixer constituting a section of the pipe, distinguished in that the injection mixer is comprising: at least one contacting element having at least one contacting surface facing and deflecting some of the pipe fluid flow, forming a constriction to the internal cross-section of the pipe, such that the pipe fluid flow is accelerated and fluid flowing in the vicinity of said surface is deflected to flow along the surface until the surface end over a sharp edge at the point of maximum constriction and flow velocity, at least one injection element arranged with a fluid connection to said surface of the contacting element, such that admixture fluid can be injected onto said surface and along said surface be entrained by the flowing pipe fluid over the sharp edge, but for a contacting element formed as a contracting pi

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for dispensing an off-gassing liquid product mixed with a diluting product are provided. A liquid product or product solution is moved through a primed product line and towards a dispenser. The liquid product is combined with the diluting product to create a solution. The solution is dispensed. Prevention of displacement of the product line is accomplished by redirecting at least a portion of the unused liquid product in the product line to a displacement system operatively attached to the product line and including a secondary container. The stored product may be used with the next dispensement of solution, or emptied in a sanitary manner.

Abstract: A continuous, semi-continuous or fed-batch mixing apparatus and process for producing and maintaining a consistently mixed substance uses a tubular vessel equipped with a plurality of annular baffles configured to initiate and maintain uniform mixing and efficient dispersion of the substance in the tubular vessel, with a pump to impart unidirectional linear and non-oscillatory motion to the substance in the tubular vessel thereby promoting and maintaining uniform mixing and efficient dispersion of the substance.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use with mixers is provided. This agitator assembly includes an agitator shaft adapted to receive a flow of liquid coolant therethrough; a first hub assembly mounted on the agitator shaft; a second hub assembly mounted on the agitator shaft; at least one agitator bar connecting the first hub extension to the second hub extension, wherein the agitator bar further includes a conduit for delivering liquid coolant from the first hub extension to the second hub extension; and at least one agitator bar connecting the second hub extension to the first hub extension, wherein the agitator bar further includes a conduit for returning liquid coolant from the second hub extension to the first hub extension.

Abstract: A process to reduce the acidity of acidic crude oils for preventing corrosion during processing of the crude oils, including transferring through pipe lines, tanker ships and tank vehicles. Crude oil having substantial amount of organic acid, in particular, naphthenic acid compounds is contacted with supercritical water and a catalyst for deacidification. A treated crude oil product has lower amounts of organic acid compounds than the original crude oil.

Abstract: A packaged fuel unit and a refillable hydrogen generator that uses the fuel unit to produce hydrogen gas are disclosed. The fuel unit includes a reactant that can undergo a thermal decomposition reaction that produces hydrogen gas when heated to at least a minimum initiation temperature. The reactant is contained within a package that includes a poor thermal conductor with one or more thermal conductor sections for conducting heat from outside the package to the reactant. The hydrogen generator includes a holder with a cavity in which the fuel unit can be removably disposed and a heating system for heating the fuel unit when disposed therein. The hydrogen generator can be part of a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery that is provided with hydrogen gas from the hydrogen generator.

Abstract: A fluid distribution device and method is presented for the collection and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the method includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The rough distribution tray includes a vapor chimney.

Abstract: A chemical reactor comprises a flow channel, a source, and a destination. The flow channel is configured to house at least one catalytic reaction converting at least a portion of a first nanofluid entering the channel into a second nanofluid exiting the channel. The flow channel includes at least one turbulating flow channel element disposed axially along at least a portion of the flow channel. A plurality of catalytic nanoparticles is dispersed in the first nanofluid and configured to catalytically react the at least one first chemical reactant into the at least one second chemical reaction product in the flow channel.

Abstract: A radiant heat chemical reactor is configured to generate chemical products including synthesis gas products. Two or more tubes in the radiant heat chemical reactor separate an exothermic heat source, such as flames and gas from a regenerative burner, from the endothermic reaction of the reactant gas occurring within the cavity of the refractory vessel. The exothermic heat source heats a space inside the tubes. One or more feed lines supply chemical reactants to the cavity area between an inner wall of the cavity of the refractory vessel of the chemical reactor and the two or more tubes that are internally heated located with the cavity.