Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a game action sweep mechanic are presented. A virtual game environment that includes a first virtual object and a second virtual object may be generated for a user. User interactions involving a game pointer and a selection input are then monitored. In response to detecting the selection input being activated while the game pointer is located proximate to the first virtual object, a game action is then performed on the first virtual object. A game action sweep mode is then activated. While the game action sweep mode is active, the game action is then performed on the second virtual game object in response to detecting the game pointer is located proximate to the second virtual object.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing a tiered rebate system in an online game. The users may spend over a certain time period and based on spending during that time frame, receive a certain amount of what the user spent back. Thus, the user receives a tiered rebate which may correlate to one or more of user spend frequency, user spend velocity, a total amount spent, and/or any other metrics.

Abstract: A front end server receives a request to start executing a game on at least one game server, the at least one game server being capable of executing at least one game, having an upper limit set to a total of amounts of resources that can be secured in executing at least one game, and executing a game as an object of execution when an amount of resources associated with the game as the object of execution can be secured. A management server starts a new game server when an amount of resources associated with the game according to the execution start request exceeds an amount of remaining resources that can be secured in each game server already started or being started at a time of receiving the execution start request. The management server makes one of the game servers execute the game according to the execution start request.

Abstract: A method including acquiring positional information for identifying a position of a terminal associated with a first player. The method further includes acquiring a map corresponding to a predetermined region having the position as a center of the map. The method further includes progressing a game associated with the first player based on the positional information and the map. The method further includes acquiring facility information for identifying a facility contained in the map. The method further includes setting a game parameter corresponding to the first player based on the facility information. The method further includes progressing the game based on the game parameter.

Abstract: A game controller includes a grip, one or more finger-actuatable controls on the grip, and a rim located on the grip. The rim defines an aperture. The game controller further includes a paddle-actuatable sensor accessible through the aperture and a pivot spaced apart from the aperture. The pivot is configured to removably affix a selected paddle accessory to the game controller and to translate a touch applied to the selected paddle accessory outside of the aperture to an actuation of the paddle-actuatable sensor inside the aperture.

Abstract: A paddle accessory includes a blade, a sensor-activation feature extending from the blade, and a mounting interface spaced apart from the sensor-activation feature. The blade is sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The mounting interface is configured to selectively mate with a pivot of a game controller to removably affix the paddle accessory to the game controller. The paddle accessory is configured to rotate relative to the pivot to translate a touch force applied to the blade into an actuation force applied by the sensor-activation feature to a paddle-actuatable sensor interior an aperture of the game controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. One or more components may be identified or detected in input audio signals, which may meet particular positioning criteria based on a user receives output audio signals corresponding to the input audio signals. The input audio signals may then be processed, with the processing comprising adjusting the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the output audio signals, with the adjusting based on characteristics of the one or more components as perceived by the user when receiving the output audio signals. The positioning criteria may comprise a position of a source of at least one of the one or more components relating to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and method related to projections and/or computing devices are described. Projections may be made from multiple computing devices to create a presentation. Various other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for fusing game control inputs includes, on a computing device, receiving a first game control input from a first input device having a first housing and receiving a second game control input from a second input device having a second housing. The first game and second game control inputs are fused into a fused game control input mimicking a game control input from a single input device having a single housing. The fused game control input is provided to a video game application.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for efficiently collecting doobers. A game area may be presented in a graphical user interface on a display device. The game area may include a game character associated with a first player, regions and objects within the regions. The character may move within the regions and interact with the objects. One or more doobers may be presented in the game area, and the doober(s) may be identified as collected by the first player in response to one or more inputs to the graphical user interface by the first player. The doober(s) may be marked as collected if an input is within a particular distance from the doober(s).

Abstract: Retrieval performance when selecting a game playing video can be improved. An information processing apparatus {12(n)} includes: a storage section (66) in which at least one tag and a tagging condition of the tag are stored in association with each other; and an attaching section (74) which, when playback data to be used to play back a game playing video of a game has been generated and an event during the play of the game satisfies the tagging condition, attaches the tag, which is associated with the tagging condition, to the playback data as an index of the game playing video.

Abstract: A game piece with a moveable base for use in an augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed An object recognizing computing device enforces game rules. A main body is configured for unique, visible object recognition by the object recognizing computing device. A motorized base is detachably and re-attachably coupled to the main body and in communication with said transceiver, the base configured to physically move the game piece over a distance on a field of play from a first position on the field of play to a second position on the field of play in response to receiving an actuating signal from the processor. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and a plurality of game pieces on a field of play.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a virtual camera configured to capture a character in a virtual space; a display unit configured to display the character and a background, the background including an object; a detection unit configured to detect first contact position information on a first position at which a first virtual object provided between the virtual camera and the character contacts the object of the background; and a motion control unit configured to control a motion of the virtual camera based on the first contact position information detected by the detection unit such that the virtual camera avoids the object of the background.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating navigation of a map in an online game are disclosed. A navigation mode may be provided to enable user to navigate the map by specifying a type of map features of interest to the user. In such a navigation mode, the user may provide directional control input for navigating the map to a map feature having a map feature type associated with the navigation mode; and the field of view of the map may jump from the present field of view to a new field of view corresponding to the map feature. The map feature may be selected because it is closer to a current location where the present field of view is taken in the direction indicated by the control input provided by the user than any other map features having the map feature type.

Abstract: A money transfer system is promoted by providing a user access to a game or contest generated by a promotions engine computer. The user is directed to a customer relations portal accessible via an access device to participate in the game or contest. The customer relations portal comprising a server configured to manage the game or contest and associated with the promotions engine computer. A response is received from the user at the server related to the user's participation in the game or contest. The server determines whether the user is to receive a reward or prize based on the response from the user, and an output is provided to the user on the access device indicating whether the user is to receive the reward or prize.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to unlocking game content for users of an online game based on amounts of collaborative gameplay. Groups of users interacting with the online game cooperatively are identified and amounts of cooperative gameplay engaged in by the individual groups are quantified. Content in the online game is made available to the groups of users based on the quantified amounts of cooperative gameplay. In implementations, the quantification of the amount of cooperative gameplay engaged in by the groups is made independent from achievement and/or successful accomplishment of any game objective in the online game by the groups.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for updating game participants. In some embodiments, the participants receive game control information via a one-way broadcast. The method selects a set of sampling participants from the set of all participants of a game. In some embodiments, the selection occurs prior to the start of the game. The method of some embodiments establishes a two-way connection between a server and each of the sampling participants. For some embodiments, the two-way connection is realtime. The method continuously maintains the two-way connection throughout the game. During each discrete game period, the method receives from a sampling participant, data for the sampling participant's game period performance. Based on the received data, the method determines the performance for the game period and broadcasts this information to a non-sampling participant. A non-sampling participant is a participant who was not selected for the set of sampling participants.

Abstract: Online games may include game content that may be played cooperatively by groups of users. The game content may include a group roles set for the users in individual groups. Users of an online game may interact with the online game via client computing platforms. The client computing platforms may include virtual reality platforms and non-virtual reality platforms. Access to the game content of the online game may be regulated by determining whether the users are attempting to play a game instance of the online game via the virtual reality platforms or the non-virtual reality platforms. A first set of group roles may be presented to users attempting to play the game instance via the virtual reality platforms. A second set of group roles may be presented to users attempting to play the game instance via the non-virtual reality platforms.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that generates a game log that specifies game events during gameplay to enable efficient distribution of video game playback, facilitates the annotation of gameplay through content from users and others, and generates a video game stream that includes the game log and content. The system facilitates the efficient sharing of video game playback, as well as annotations from users and others. For example, e-sportscasters may use the system to broadcast video game playback with their commentary and/or graphical overlays. Video game players may use the system to share video game playback efficiently with other users. The system may also facilitate the sharing of loadout conditions and micro-transactions relevant to video game playback.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a pairing between a first player and a second player of a multiplayer application comprises the steps of obtaining one or more parameter values for each of the first player and the second player, inputting the parameter values for each of the first player and the second player into an artificial neural network, obtaining at least a first pairing fitness value output from the artificial neural network, and selecting to pair the first player and the second player in dependence upon a criterion responsive to the each pairing fitness value.

Abstract: A system for multi-client control of an avatar. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a game engine configured to execute game code configured to create a game in a game space and accept a response stream to allow said avatar to be controlled and (2) a cooperative play engine associated with said game engine for communication therewith and having a stereoscopic device driver configured to render left-eye and right-eye views of said game space, said cooperative play engine configured to: (2a) transmit said left-eye view toward a first client associated with a first player and (2b) transmit said right-eye view toward a second client associated with a second player.

Abstract: A yo-yo having improved spin time is disclosed. The yo-yo has a body comprising two side members joined together at their centers by a fixed axle. A yoke for receiving a string in winding relation is magnetically supported for substantially frictionless rotation about the axle. A pair of radially-magnetized ring magnets disposed at opposite ends of the yoke are received within a corresponding pair of radially-magnetized ring magnets disposed within recesses in the side members. A pair of axially-magnetized ring magnets disposed at opposite ends of the yoke confront a corresponding pair of axially-disposed ring magnets set into the body side members. The magnets are magnetically polarized such that they mutually repel each other. As a result, the yo-yo is free to spin around the yoke for an extended period of time.

Abstract: An action character model includes a torso having a first magnet disposed therein, the torso bounding a first passage extending from an exterior surface of the torso toward the first magnet. A first appendage has a first connector attached thereto, a portion of the first connector being received within first passage so that the first connector is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the first connector being non-magnetic.

Abstract: A toy vehicle system includes a toy vehicle, a remote-control transmitter and a control unit. The toy vehicle includes a drive with at least two drive motors and at least two roller elements. The roller elements are mutually independently driven rotationally about respective axes of rotation via the drive motors. The toy vehicle further includes at least one steering mechanism for adjusting the directions of orientation of the axes of rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Input signals of the remote-control are fed into the control unit. The control unit generates output signals that act on the drive and the steering mechanism. In the operating method, the control unit carries out a computational driving simulation and generates therefrom control output signals such that the toy vehicle carries out a vehicle movement according to the computational driving simulation under the action of a virtual operating frictional force.

Abstract: With a view to providing an accessory preparation toy which can prepare accessories of various sizes, colors, patterns and shapes easily and simply with joy, a storage container includes a main material storage portion, an auxiliary material storage portion and a mixing chamber. A main material and an auxiliary material which make up a mixed curable resin material are stored separately in the main material storage portion and the auxiliary material storage portion. Opening portions of the main material storage portion and the auxiliary material storage portion are formed so as to be opened by pressing the main material or the auxiliary material stored therein with fingers. Lamé flakes which represent a decorative material are mixed into the main material.

Abstract: A modular building block system and method. A set of pieces are formed with interlocking pegs and holes allowing the creation of structures. One such structure that can be made is a cube which can be attached using the pegs and holes to identically formed cubes. The cubes have panels of which custom artwork can be printed on them, thereby enabling complex scenes to be created using only the cubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular education and toy block having at least one piece 10 having a body (11), a jointer (20) working with comb fitting principle (finger joint), having recesses and/or protrusions that each of them is in triangular on at least one surface of the joinder (20) which is appropriate to form new pieces (10) by combining the piece (10) with another piece (10).

Abstract: A display system for transforming sunlit and other brightly lit surfaces while being observed by viewers or an audience. The display system includes an optical element switchable between first and second operating states, and the optical element includes a pane that is opaque in the first operating state and transparent in the second operating state. The display system includes a controller operable to switch the optical element between the first and second operating states. Further, the display system includes a background image element positioned adjacent to a first surface of the pane of the switchable optical element. The pane may be a liquid crystal (LC) film, and the controller operates a power source to provide electric current to the LC film to switch the optical element to the second operating state. The display system may include a foreground image element positioned proximate to a second surface of the pane.

Abstract: A smoke generator is provided, including a smoke generating unit and an airflow system. The airflow system has an air inlet passage, an air outlet passage and a vacuum generator, the vacuum generator communicates with the air inlet passage and the air outlet passage, and the vacuum generator has a suction portion communicating with the smoke generating unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bucking chute with side panels that include clearance portions adjacent to the legs of a rider of a rodeo animal. The clearance portions provide clearance space for the legs of the rider in order to reduce the likelihood of injury to the rider while the rider is mounted on the rodeo animal in the chute prior to the start of the rodeo event.

Abstract: A system and method of cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks is provided that allows for significant flexibility in terms of the desired product yield. An integrated process includes introducing the feedstock and hydrogen into a first hydrocracking reaction zone containing a first hydrocracking catalyst to produce a first zone effluent. The first zone effluent is passed to a fractionating zone to produce at least a low boiling fraction and a high boiling fraction, and optionally one or more intermediate fractions. The bottoms fraction is conveyed to a fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone, from which olefins and gasoline are recovered. At least a portion of remaining cycle oil is passed from the fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone to a second hydrocracking reaction zone containing a second hydrocracking catalyst to produce a second stage effluent.

Abstract: An oil extraction booth, comprising: first and second pre-fabricated modules securable to each other to create a first air-tight interior work space; an inlet blower; an exhaust blower; a sensor sensitive to the presence of a gas within the work space; and a controller electrically coupled to control the speed of the inlet blower and the exhaust blower and electrically coupled to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of an amount of the gas in the work space. The controller is configured to operate the inlet blower and the outlet blower at a first speed when the amount of the gas detected by the sensor is less than a first predetermined value and operate the inlet blower and the outlet blower at a second, higher speed when the amount of the gas equals or exceeds the first predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a liquid chromatography system includes a chromatography port and a tubing assembly having a chromatography tube coupled at one end to the chromatography port. The end of the tube has an end face covered with a corrosion-resistant material, for example, gold. The corrosion-resistant nature of the material protects the end of the tube from corrosion or erosion, which improves the quality and reliability of a seal between the end face of the tube and a sealing surface of the port. Alternatively, or in addition to covering the end face of the tube with the corrosion-resistant material, a gasket covered with or made of the corrosion-resistant material can be disposed between the end face of the tube and the port. This gasket extends the reach of the tube to facilitate bottoming out the tube within the port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defoamer oil compound that contains an organopolysiloxane (A), a fine silica powder (B), and a group (C) that is represented by the organopolysiloxanes of formulas (I) and/or (II) (in the formulas, c, d, and e are each an integer of 0 or more, and at least one of X1 to X3 is the group represented by formula (i)). The component (C) is used as a surface treatment agent for the component (B). The present invention makes it possible to obtain a silicone-based defoamer composition that imparts good initial defoaming properties even in an alkaline foaming liquid, that exhibits very little loss in performance over time, and that has excellent defoaming performance.

Abstract: A coupling filter for a fluid system comprising a molded hollow tubular body having a wall defining a flow passage, a porous filter element of generally parabolic cross-sectional shape with a base portion extending across the entire flow passage and a pair of wing portions extending longitudinally of the flow passage and converging toward the base portion. In one form the base portion is cylindrical and in another form it is “W” shaped with a series of flat mesh panels presented to the flow path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-alarm multi-stage complex screen filter for micro-irrigation and the assembly method thereof. The filter comprises a housing, an alarm, a multi-stage screen filtering element, and a segmented brush. The housing comprises a left housing, a middle housing, and a right housing. The multi-stage screen filtering element comprises a plurality of screen filter cylinders. The segmented brush comprises a plurality of bristle frames, a plurality of connecting rods, a connector and a power device. The middle housing is provided with a water inlet. The left housing is provided with a discharge pipe. The installation, disassembly, repair, maintenance of the filter of the present invention can be done more conveniently.

Abstract: A centrifugal debris trap is provided for collecting debris within various parts of the transmission. The debris trap includes a porous material that disposed in various parts of the transmission. For example, the debris trap may be located within or on any transmission component that rotates or is stationary and that contacts automatic transmission fluid. Particular locations of the debris trap include but are not limited to the torque converter, damper, one or more clutch hubs, one or more clutch pistons, one or more clutch piston dams, including rotating hubs, rotating housings and rotating pistons, gears, gear carriers, electric motors, sprockets, bearings, and flanges.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for placement of a subterranean curtain below the face of the earth.

Abstract: A fiber laminate includes a first fiber sheet containing first fibers, a second fiber sheet laminated on the first fiber sheet and containing second fibers, and an adhesive interposed between the first fiber sheet and the second fiber sheet. The adhesive is disposed to form a linear first region in the fiber laminate when viewed from a normal direction of a principal surface of the fiber laminate. The first fiber sheet and the second fiber sheet are adhered to each other via the first region. A gap is formed between the first fiber sheet and the second fiber sheet in a second region other than the first region.

Abstract: A separation element for a pressure accumulator system for separating liquid from a media stream is provided with a hollow cylindrical filter body. The filter body has a support body and a coalescing stage filter medium radially outwardly of the support body. The filter body is flowed through radially by the media stream and separates a dirty side from a clean side of the separation element. First and second end disks are disposed on opposite sides of the filter body. A receiving recess is arranged centrally on the first end disk and is open toward the filter body interior. The receiving recess supports the separation element on a central tube of the pressure accumulator system. The second end disk has an outlet opening. Liquid that has been separated by the filter body from the media stream drains via the outlet opening of the second end disk from the separation element.

Abstract: A filter includes filter media and a mesh panel secured to a face of the filter media. The mesh panel has a perimeter edge margin and intersecting web members that extend from the perimeter edge margin across the panel. A web member can have an outer web portion with a larger minimum width than an inner web portion. The web members can define an outer flow opening with a smaller cross-sectional opening than an inner flow opening defined by the web members. The flow openings can be diamond shaped. The web members can include one set of web portions that define an outer flow opening and another set that define an inner flow opening. The sum of the widths of the second set can be less than the sum of the widths of the first set.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may improve the accuracy of abnormality diagnosis of a particulate filter using the output value of a particulate matter (PM) sensor provided in an exhaust passage. A time when deposition of PM between electrodes of the PM sensor is restarted after completion of a sensor recovery process may be specified as a PM deposition restart time. A process of diagnosing an abnormality of a filter based on the output value of the PM sensor at a first determination time after the PM deposition restart time may be specified as a filter diagnosis process. To determine, whether the filter diagnosis process is to be performed, a change rate of the output value of the PM sensor in a time period from the PM deposition restart time to a predetermined second determination time before the first determination time, may be compared with a threshold value.

Abstract: A device for filtering air comprising a base, a fan functionally attached to the base, an air filter releasably attached to the base, and a substantially air impermeable outer sleeve is provided.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure body having a porous partition wall. The honeycomb structure body includes a plurality of cells defined by the partition wall so as to extend from a first end face to a second end face of the honeycomb structure body, the partition wall is formed by a porous body including a silicon phase as a main phase, and the silicon phase as the main phase has content of each of metals other than silicon and metals making up silicide that is 0.3 part by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of silicon.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb substrate having a porous partition wall that defines a plurality of cells that extend from an inlet end face as an inlet side for a fluid to an outlet end face as an outlet side for the fluid, and a porous circumferential wall that is monolithically formed with the partition wall, and a coat layer that is disposed on at least a part of the outer surface of the circumferential wall. Here, a part of the coat layer penetrates into the pores of the circumferential wall, and a thickness of the part of the coat layer that penetrates into the pores of the circumferential wall is from 1 to 90% of the thickness of the circumferential wall.

Abstract: In the plugged honeycomb structure, 30% or more of first intersection portions in which a first partition wall intersects a second partition wall are first specific intersection portions in which a diameter of a maximum inscribed circle drawn in the first intersection portion is a specific size for a shortest distance between an inflow cell and an outflow cell, and 30% or more of non-first intersection portions other than the first intersection portions are non-first specific intersection portions in which a diameter of a maximum inscribed circle drawn in a non-first intersection portion is a specific size for a shortest distance between the inflow cells or the outflow cells.

Abstract: A pleated filter media comprises a plurality of pleats comprised of pleat segments extending in an axial direction between first and second axial ends and extending in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at least partially defined by first and second sets of bend lines. Axial flow channels are defined between the pleat segments in the lateral direction and the plurality of pleats has a width in the transverse direction that varies along the axial direction.

Abstract: A gas-adsorbing device (1) includes: a container (2); a gas adsorbent (3) configured to be disposed inside the container (2) so as to adsorb a gas; and an aeration member (4) having a predetermined aeration rate. The gas adsorbent (3) is disposed in a space formed by the container (2) and the aeration member (4). Further, the space is configured to be completely enclosed by the container (2) and the aeration member (4). In this configuration, it is possible to attain a gas-adsorbing device in which it is possible to reduce consumption of the gas adsorbent due to contact with air, even when the gas-adsorbing device is handled in air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an a sensor system (100) for quantitatively detecting at least one compound in a fluid mixture, said fluid mixture comprising the compound to be detected, wherein the sensor system (100) comprises a sorbent material (102) being capable of sorbing the at least one compound to be detected, wherein the sorbent material (102) undergoes a temperature change when sorbing the at least one compound; at least a first temperature sensor (104) for measuring the temperature of the sorbent material (102); and a control unit (110) being adapted for quantitatively determining the at least one compound to be detected based on the temperature change of the sorbent material (102). Such a sensor system (100) provides an improved measurement especially in the field of oxygen concentrators. The invention further relates to an oxygen concentrator (10) for generating oxygen enriched gas as well as to a method of quantitatively detecting at least one compound in a fluid mixture.

Abstract: Consumed energy and cost relating to control of a carbon dioxide concentration is reduced. Each of CO2 concentration control systems (100 to 105) includes a measuring unit (20) that measures a CO2 concentration, a CO2 absorption unit (30) that has a CO2 absorption material (31) for absorbing CO2 at a rate depending on the temperature thereof, and a control unit (10) that controls the temperature of the CO2 absorption material (31) by using exhaust heat of a power system (40), so as to control a CO2 absorption rate of the CO2 absorption material (31).