Abstract: An online gaming system for presenting recommendations to users of an online game. The recommendations may be based on monitored usage of the individual interface methods and directed to use of a particular interface method and/or participation in content which is made available to the users. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a client compatibility module configured to obtain interface methods available to the users; a game module configured to manage game content for portions of the online game which can be adjusted to make different content accessible to the users based on the interface methods available; an interface monitor module configured to monitor the usage of interface methods; and a recommendation module configured to present recommendations to the users related to the game content accessible by virtue of the available interface methods.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display system, a sensor system, a feedback system, and one or more computing systems. The sensor system is configured to detect at least one touch gesture when the touch gesture is at least proximate the virtual game layout. During play of the game, a player's touch gestures are evaluated as either a functional gameplay touch gesture or non-functional gameplay touch gestures. Each functional gameplay touch gesture relates directly to reaching an outcome of a current game. Each non-functional gameplay touch gesture may be associated with a feedback system that responds to the non-functional gameplay touch gestures by the player with visual, audio, tactile feedback or the altering of certain game parameters and displays, giving at least the impression that the non-functional gestures affect game outcomes.

Abstract: A method and system for daisy chaining tournament audio controllers, where the method comprises, in a headset coupled to a first tournament audio controller (TAC), the first TAC being in a daisy chain of TACs: receiving a chat signal from a previous TAC in the daisy chain of TACs, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone in the headset, summing the chat signal with the microphone signal, communicating the summed signal to a next TAC in the daisy chain, and communicating the chat signal to the headset. The microphone signal may be removed from the summed chat signal and microphone signal by adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees out of phase with the microphone signal. The chat signal may be summed with the microphone signal at an amplitude set by a user of the headset after the removal of the microphone signal.

Abstract: Supplemental computing devices that provide processing and/or storage resources to game consoles to assist these game consoles in executing a game. In some instances, a game console locally executes a copy of a game using resources of the game console. In addition, however, the game console may couple to a supplemental computing device that includes resources that the game console may also utilize to increase the speed or quality of a user's gaming experience. For instance, the supplemental computing device may couple via a physical connection (e.g., a wired connection) to the game console for processing data associated with the game and providing a result back to the console, and/or for storing game data on behalf of the game console.

Abstract: A method generates a three-dimensional map of a region from successive images of that region captured from different camera poses. The method captures successive images of the region, detects a gravitational vertical direction in respect of each captured image, detects feature points within the captured images and designates a subset of the captured images as a set of keyframes each having respective sets of image position data representing image positions of landmark points detected as feature points in that image. The method also includes, for a captured image (i) deriving a camera pose from detected feature points in the image; (ii) rotating the gravitational vertical direction to the coordinates of a reference keyframe using the camera poses derived for that image and the reference keyframe; and (iii) comparing the rotated direction with the actual gravitational vertical direction for the reference keyframe to detect a quality measure of that image.

Abstract: Providing a location-based online game for a plurality of mobile devices, including: assigning a force field around a player corresponding to each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a radius of the force field is proportional to a score or experience point of the player in the online game; determining a location of said each mobile device; calculating colliding forces among the plurality of mobile devices and virtual environment created in the online game; providing a forum to enable a battle among the plurality of mobile devices and the virtual environment which are calculated as being in the colliding forces and sampling metadata including water, highway, road, grass, forest, business area and residential area to generate the online game.

Abstract: A method for verifying a request signal from a client in a Web-based game including sending a start signal of a game mission to a server; sending an acquired score and a completion time of a sub-mission of the game mission to the server, and completing the sum-mission by sending a unique key corresponding to the completion of the sub-mission to the client on the basis of the completion time and the acquired score; and sending a retransmission unique key and reward requesting information corresponding to the completion of the game mission to the server when the sub-mission is completed, and approving the completion of the game mission of the client on the basis of the retransmission unique key and information on the completion of the sub-mission. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the client from abnormally acquiring a point or an item.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an image acquirer that acquires a shot image of a user, a registered user information holder that holds face identification data of a registered user, a face recognition section that detects a face image of a registered user existing in the shot image by using face identification data held in the registered user information holder, and an information processing section that executes information processing based on a detection result by the face recognition section. The face identification data includes information on a face image of a user shot in advance and an after-processing image obtained by performing predetermined processing on the face image.

Abstract: To simulate group play, player-controlled characters may be grouped prior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Then separate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may be provided to players associated with individual ones of the grouped player-controlled characters. In the separate instance provided to a given player, secondary instances of the player-controlled characters other than the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player may be controlled automatically to accompany the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player.

Abstract: An example system includes a plurality of communication terminal devices each provided with: an environmental information acquisition part acquiring information concerning a surrounding environment; a communication data generating part, on the basis of the acquired environmental information, generating communication data having a smaller data amount than the environmental information; a transmitting part transmitting the generated communication data; a receiving part receiving communication data transmitted by another communication terminal device; an image generating part generating an image on the basis of the received communication data; and a display processing part performing processing of displaying the generated image in a manner of being related to a player participating in the game.

Abstract: A swing includes a body with a recessed seat and a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes tether openings. The body can be defined as a one-piece molded polymeric construction. A lower surface of the seat comprises ribs that extend radially outward from an inner end toward the peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes a top wall, an outer wall projecting downwardly from the top wall, and an inner circular wall located radially inward from and arranged concentrically with the outer wall. A peripheral groove is defined between the inner and outer circular walls. The tether openings are defined in the top wall and open through the top wall into the peripheral groove. A plurality of peripheral edge support ribs each extend between and interconnect the inner and outer circular walls. A tether system is engaged with the tether openings.

Abstract: A teeter-totter device is provided that includes an elongated beam with slidable weights to balance the load of one or more users on the beam. The device includes a base that rotatably supports the beam and acts as a fulcrum point for the beam to rotate. A seat is disposed on each end of the beam, and one or more channels extend along the length of the beam. Slidable weights are disposed within the channels and are movable along the beam and within the one or more channels, whereby weight along the beam is used to account for a single user, or two users of different weights using the device. The slidable weights are securable into a static position along the length of the channel, thereby adding weight to one side of the beam or the other based on the load in each seat.

Abstract: A recreational water spray apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be provided a continuous pressurized flow of water without a pump to enhance continuity of a game by eliminating one or more delays to reload a water source. The apparatus may include a target disc disposed on a first end of the target control rod, a user throwing a projectile in an attempt to strike the target disc and upon the projectile striking the target disk, a conical spray of water is dispensed upon one or more user participants. Another embodiment of the recreational water spray apparatus is hinged. The hinged apparatus may allow a one piece upper frame tube and the safety barrier net to move at one or more different angles to a ground surface and allow the recreational water spray apparatus to be folded to create a slimmer profile for storage.

Abstract: The motorcycle transparent globe toy device provides a transparent globe within which at least one model motorcycle with rider is magnetically attracted to an interior surface via a plurality of ferrous particles. A remote controller for each motorcycle with rider dictates a speed of each. A plurality of arrangements of ferrous particles in the interior surface provides any number of patterns of a track system within the globe.

Abstract: An improved kite launching, flying and control apparatus and system combines a target kite with a reel and control arm arrangement for power flexing a kite line under tension to launch the kite, while adjusting, unreeling and retrieving of the kite line with a reel having an integral brake and trigger mechanism, thereby controlling the launch and flight characteristics of the kite.

Abstract: A self-sealing balloon or bladder is fabricated of a flexible elastic material and defines a body to which a filler neck is secured. The filler neck is joined to the body to form a fill opening therebetween. The self-sealing structure is provided by bending the filler neck upon and against the surface of the balloon or bladder body. An attachment such as adhesive, tape or sonic welding is utilized to secure the filler neck against the inflatable body. The balloon or bladder may then be filled through the filler neck by the introduction of a flowable material such as a liquid, gas, or powder under pressure to fill and expand the body. Once the filling apparatus has been withdrawn, the elasticity and fill material within the body cooperate to maintain closure of the fill opening.

Abstract: A combinable transformable toy is provided with a doll body and a mounting body which can be externally mounted on the doll body. The mounting body is provided with a base portion in which an insertion port is opened, a movement portion which is provided to be movable relatively to the base portion, and transformation portions which are coupled to the movement portion. When a head portion of the doll body is inserted from the insertion port, the movement portion is pushed by the doll body to move together with the doll body so that the transformation portions can be transformed in conjunction with the movement of the movement portion. Thus when a mounting body is attached to a doll body, the doll body can change in appearance and the mounting body can be transformed in conjunction with the attachment operation.

Abstract: A children's entertainment structure or play gym includes a first support member, a second support member, an arched member coupled to the top of the first support member and the top of the second support member, and a mat reconfigurable between the first and second support members and beneath the arched member. Moreover, each of the support members has an upper opening and an internal passageway that is in connection with the upper opening that extends through at least a portion of the support member. The upper opening and the passageway are sized and configured to receive and transport balls to the bottom of the support members. The arched member includes a channel that is also configured to receive balls, while allowing them to roll towards the upper openings on the support members.

Abstract: Musical toy building elements to make a plurality of combination of sounds comprising of a plurality of walls, a top lid and a bottom cap to make an inner space between them, wherein at least two of said walls, said lid and said cap having releasable couplers, and wherein said releasable couplers selected from a group of male and female couplers, hook and loop couplers or magnetic connectors, and wherein said block having percussion musical instruments to produce sounds, said musical instrument being installed on the lid, or on the walls or in the inner space of the block and said musical instrument being detachably mounted on the block or being an integral element of the building block.

Abstract: A cryopump includes: a first panel to be cooled by a first stage of a refrigerator; a second panel to be cooled by a second stage of the refrigerator; a panel temperature sensor provided with the first panel and/or the second panel; a stage temperature sensor provided with the first stage and/or the second stage; and a control unit that controls vacuum pumping based on the temperature measured by the stage temperature sensor. The control unit controls regeneration including a heating process of a cryopanel, and uses the temperature measured by the panel temperature sensor exclusively in the regeneration. The control unit completes the heating process based on the temperature measured by the panel temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system for bulk separation of single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) based on chirality is provided wherein an array of longitudinally directed channels (32) are formed on a crystalline substrate (30) to form a separation plate (300). At least one of the separation plate (300) and a solution or suspension of the single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) is displaced relative to the other for exposing at least a portion of the plurality of single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) to the channels (32). Each of the channels (32) exposes portions of the upper surface (38) of the crystalline substrate (30) and the longitudinal direction is selected to be an energetically favored “locking angle” for single-walled tubular fullerenes (100a) of one chiral angle to be adsorbed to the exposed is substrate surface (38). The adsorbed single-walled tubular fullerenes (100a) are subsequently removed from the separation plate (300).

Abstract: A device for collecting and separating liquids, preferably liquefied gas, the device having a first container having a bottom wall with a first tubular discharge pipe passing through it and opening out into a first storage tank. A second container is contained inside the first container. The second container has a bottom wall above the level of the first discharge pipe(s), and a top side wall including at least one drain orifice in its base communicating with a lateral passage, and a bottom side wall extending to below the level of the top end of the first discharge pipe, and a lateral passage between the side walls of the two containers. A liquid collector duct opens into the second container, and a second discharge pipe extends from above the second container and opens into a second liquefied gas storage tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a modified surface (5) comprising: patterning a surface (7) by forming thereon a porous molecular network (9) defined by non-covalent interactions between constituent molecules; and depositing in said porous network (9) and on said patterned surface (11) molecules (13) so as to form a self-assembled monolayer (15), wherein both said patterning and said depositing are effected by contact with liquids.

Abstract: A diffuser baffle for use in an in-line wastewater grease interceptor. The diffuser baffle lies within a grease collecting chamber between the inflow and outflow of a grease interceptor. The diffuser baffle has an open bottom which is sized and shaped respectively to fit into the grease collecting chamber. The diffuser baffle has an end operatively connected to the inflow opening to permit wastewater to flow into the body through the open bottom. The baffle has a downstream end which includes a deflector portion to deflect a wastewater stream in a direction generally into the grease collecting chamber. The body also includes a number of apertures to permit the deflected wastewater stream to pass through the baffle and into the grease collecting chamber, where FOG will separate before waste water exits the chamber through the outlet baffle.

Abstract: A blend comprising from 1 to 99 weight percent one or more polypropylene glycols wherein each polypropylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 1000 grams/mole and from 1 to 99 weight percent one or more dipropylene glycol phenyl ethers and/or diethylene glycol phenyl ethers wherein the blend has a viscosity (ASTM D445, @ 25° C.) of less than or equal to 400 cSt and viscosity (ASTM D445, @ 40° C.) of less than or equal to 200 cSt, is provided. Processes using the blend in mining applications are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is concerned with a screen-type filter element, and a method for its manufacture. The screen type filter comprises a substantially rigid screen-bearing skeleton and at least one fine screen sheet material extending within or over the skeleton and secured thereto by a plurality of enveloping ribs, the enveloping ribs being applied over one face of the filter screen sheet to thereby support it at discrete portions and secure it to the skeleton.

Abstract: A self-purging filtering apparatus having a pressure vessel connected for discharging clean filtrate to subatmospheric pressure at a pump inlet. Actuators connected to an outwardly extending rod move a wiper piston to scrub the upstream side of an annular filter media element. The piston moves a main valve member to isolate a purge chamber from the filtering chamber. Remotely operated valves control flushing of the purged chamber. The main valve has a bleed valve to provide pressure equalization for facilitating main valve movement.

Abstract: A filtration sealing system is provided for sealing a filter element in a housing at a mating interface therebetween. The sealing system includes a keyed interface. A replacement filter element is provided for such filtration sealing system, with the replacement filter element including a keyed interface.

Abstract: An air filter reconditioning apparatus is provided for cleaning air filters. There is a vessel body with a lid and an arbor axle tube provides a source of incoming air. A two stage live arbor is provided having a first roller bearing fitted on the arbor axle tube, a spacer ring fitted on the first roller bearing, a second roller bearing fitted on the arbor axle tube, an impeller ring fitted on the second roller bearing and a housing fitted on the spacer ring and the impeller ring, with an air redirection plate disposed in the housing and fitted to the arbor axle tube. A V-grooved arbor nozzle adapter is threadably connected to the housing such that the housing and the V-grooved nozzle adapter rotate around the arbor axle tube. Nozzles defined in the V-grooved arbor nozzle adapter direct air into the air filter during rotation.

Abstract: A phase separation apparatus is provided for separating a two-phase fluid flow into a liquid phase portion and a vapor phase portion. The phase separation apparatus may be applied to the separation of a two-phase refrigerant flow in a refrigerant vapor compression system operating in a transcritical cycle.

Abstract: An air filter cartridge is provided including an air filter media construction having a first, outlet end, flow face and an opposite, second, inlet end, flow face. The filter media construction comprises fluted media secured to a facing media sheet. The filter media is closed to flow of unfiltered air completely therethrough. A centerboard is provided. The centerboard has a media portion embedded within the media construction. The centerboard has first and second opposite sides. The media portion that is embedded within the media defines an aperture arrangement extending completely through the centerboard from the first side to the second side. An adhering sealant secures the centerboard to the media construction. At least some adhering sealant extends through the aperture arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air filter element, a filter housing, and an air filter in which the air filter elements have a high filtering capacity and a long service life by increasing the filter surface of an air filter element taking into account structural requirements for the air filter housing.

Abstract: A method and system remove contaminants from a vapor. In one embodiment, the system includes a contaminant removal system having a vacuum box. The contaminant removal system includes a contaminated vapor from process equipment is introduced to the vacuum box. The contaminated vapor includes steam and hydrocarbons. The vacuum box includes a water removal device. The water removal device removes water from the contaminated vapor to provide water and a reduced water vapor. The contaminated vapor is introduced to the vacuum box below the water removal device. The water and the reduced water vapor are removed from the vacuum box. The water removal device is disposed in the vacuum box at an elevation below an elevation at which the reduced water vapor is removed from the vacuum box.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a body portion (14), that is thermally and electrically non-conductive, defining an opening (28), a bus bar (18) coupled to the body portion, the bus bar being thermally and electrically conductive, and a clamping bar (20), including a scalloped surface configured to oppose the bus bar, the clamping bar being thermally and electrically conductive. At least one of the bus bar and the clamping bar is biased toward the other of the bus bar and the clamping bar.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of a filter structure that may remove contaminants from a stream of fluid. In various aspects the filter structure includes a front portion having a first orientation and a rear portion having a second orientation unique from the first orientation.

Abstract: A wind direction plate of an air purifier includes a core member provided between an upper wall and a lower wall and extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and an infrared light highly scattering member provided on a side of the core member facing an infrared unit, the infrared light highly scattering member having a higher degree of scattered reflection of infrared light received by the infrared unit and/or infrared light transmitted from the infrared unit than a degree of scattered reflection on the core member.

Abstract: A system for depressurizing a molecular sieve used in ethanol production is provided. The ethanol production system includes a plurality of on-line molecular sieve bottles for removing water from ethanol production. When the molecular sieve bottle becomes saturated with water it is taken off-line to depressurize it. The depressurization and removal of water is done from the product discharge end resulting in an approximately 5% to 10% reduction in external energy required to run the ethanol production line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen separation membrane which coats granular ceramic onto the surface of a porous metal support and which coats a hydrogen permeation metal thereon so as to inhibit diffusion between the support and a hydrogen separation layer, and to a method for manufacturing same. As a result, the metal support can be modularized with ease, the hydrogen permeation layer can be made thinner to increase the amount of hydrogen permeation, the use of a separation material can be minimized, and the hydrogen separation membrane can have higher competitiveness.

Abstract: A filter for filtering particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gas emitted from a positive ignition engine or a compression ignition engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a washcoat comprising a plurality of solid particles wherein the porous structure of the washcoated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, and wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size.

Abstract: A control method and system for monitoring a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device of an exhaust gas treatment system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a plurality of operating conditions related to determining an efficiency of the SCR device and a SCR temperature. The method includes determining if each of the operating conditions are within a respective predetermined range and if the SCR temperature is below an operating temperature range. The method includes activating a hydrocarbon supply based on if each of the operating conditions are within the respective predetermined range and if the SCR temperature is below the operating temperature range. The hydrocarbon supply is located upstream of the SCR device to generate heat if activated. The method includes monitoring the SCR temperature to determine if the SCR device is operating within the operating temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the recovery of betaines from electrodialysis (ED) waste streams, whereby said waste streams are treated with a pressure driven membrane process.

Abstract: Asymmetric membranes comprising a first asymmetric porous zone including a first porous asymmetry that increases from the first exterior surface through the first porous zone of the bulk, and a second asymmetric porous zone including a second porous asymmetry that increases from the second exterior surface through the second porous zone of the bulk, wherein the first average pore size is larger than the second average pore size, as well as methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aromatic polyamide porous hollow fiber membrane firstly premixes PPTA resin, solvent, composite pore-forming agents and inorganic particles in a stirring vessel to form casting solution, secondly injects the casting solution into a double-screw extruder to be fully dissolved under the effect of shear force and enters a spinneret via a metering pump. The PPTA hollow fiber membranes are prepared by the dry-wet spinning method, which solves the problems that hard pore-forming and low porosity in the preparation process of PPTA porous membrane. Utilization of the double-screw extruder is capable of greatly shortening the dissolved time and the deaeration time. Meanwhile the increase of PPTA in casting solution also improves mechanical properties of the PPTA membrane. The addition of the inorganic particles improves mechanical toughness and enhance pure water flux, hydrophilia and rejection rate.

Abstract: A porous membrane patterning technique is provided. In one embodiment, a porous membrane may be patterned via printing on the porous membrane with a solvent such that the porous membrane collapses where the solvent is applied. In another embodiment, a patterned porous membrane may be formed by casting a solution including at least components of the porous membrane into voids of a casting plate or stencil, removing the casting plate, and letting the remaining components go through a phase inversion process to form porous membrane regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides rewettable asymmetric membranes and methods of forming rewettable asymmetric membranes. More specifically, methods are provided for forming rewettable asymmetric membranes having a copolymer and a polymerized material retained within the porous substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane including: a porous support; and a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support and including zeolite, surface-treated with a compound having at least one functional group selected from a group consisting of an amino group and a glycidyl group, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A membrane comprising polybenzimidazole and aromatic polyester wherein said aromatic polyester is removed is disclosed. The membrane is used for a process of deacidification.

Abstract: An inherently hydrophobic polymer membrane substrate having its surface rendered hydrophilic with a hydroxyalkyl cellulose and having a throughput greater than about 1500 L/m2 is provided. A process for making the membrane also is provided which includes a step of autoclaving in boiling water and/or steam or submerging in boiling water. The membrane is useful for removing virus from a protein solution.

Abstract: A series of bicycloalkene-palladium compounds having utility as addition polymerization catalysts are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making these compounds.

Abstract: An improved venturi device and method for facilitating the mixture of fluid substances, such as wine and air. The device may be combined with a dispensing valve to further promote functionality. The improved venturi device is especially effective in drawing a second fluid into the primary flow of a first fluid, and when combined with a dispensing valve it obviates the need for a venturi independent from a valve to accomplish mixing at low flows and low liquid head pressure.