Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing method and a smart cube.

Abstract: A system and method for uniquely identifying physical trading cards and/or incorporating trading card game items in a video game is provided. In certain implementations, a unique code that identifies a trading card may be obtained. A graphical representation of the unique code may be generated based on a graphical coding scheme. The graphical representation of the unique code may comprise at least a part of: (1) a depiction of a game item that is usable in the video game; or (2) a border of the trading card. Content associated with the depiction of the game item may be obtained. The trading card may be generated based on the content associated with the depiction of the game item and the graphical representation of the unique code such that the generated trading card depicts the game item and the graphical representation of the unique code.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) is provided, including: an emitter configured to emit a scanning beam into an interactive environment, the scanning beam being configured to continuously trace a predefined scan pattern; a detector configured to detect reflections of the scanning beam back to the HMD by each of a plurality of modulating retroreflectors; a processor configured to, for each detected reflection of the scanning beam, analyze the detected reflection to identify the modulating retroreflector that produced the reflection, and further determine a time at which the reflection occurred, wherein the times at which the reflections occurred and the identification of the modulating retroreflectors that produced the reflections are used to determine a location or orientation of the HMD in the interactive environment; a display device configured to render a view of a virtual space that is determined based on the determined location or orientation of the HMD.

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 system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that determines a pattern for a mouse pad, wherein the mouse pad comprises an electronic paper display and a processor and transmits the pattern to the mouse pad to enable the processor to present the pattern on the electronic paper display. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a game controller including: a trigger button rotatable between a first position and a second position by rotating about a rotation axis, the trigger button being depressible in a direction to activate a switch when the trigger button is in the first position, wherein the direction is at least substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis; and a locking mechanism configured to constrain rotation of the trigger button when the trigger button is in the first position, and further configured to constrain rotation of the trigger button when the trigger button is in the second position.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of pointer information on the basis of one or more sensor data; a determination unit configured to determine an input device corresponding to each pointer on the basis of features of the plurality of pointer information; and a generation unit configured to generate, in a case where a position of a pointer satisfies a predetermined condition, a predetermined tactile stimulation signal to be output to an input device corresponding to the pointer.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus of a guest user, an image data acquisition unit acquires content image data from a host user, and a reproduction processing unit reproduces the content image data and outputs the content image data from an outputting apparatus. An information acquisition unit acquires information for specifying a sharing mode of a content image, and a notification unit notifies the user of the information indicative of the mode of the sharing process in an associated relationship with the reproduced content image. Further, if the information acquisition unit acquires information indicating that the content is within a sharing restriction period, then the notification unit notifies the user of the information indicating that the content is within the sharing restriction period.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a computer-implemented method, a system, and an article for managing updates to environment objects within an online application. The method can include, for example, updating, by one or more computer processors on a server, an environment object for use within an online application on a client device to create an updated environment object, and transmitting, by the one or more computers processors on the server, a message to the client device using the online application that the environment object has been updated. A determination is made that the client device requires the updated environment object, and, based on the determination, the updated environment object is transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: A recording medium and server provide a game that improves the interest in and taste of a battle event and increases the interest in and real enjoyment of the entire game. The recording medium provides a game including a predetermined battle event comprising at least one battle. In a battle event of this game, game contents are displayed in a first field, and a player selects therefrom a game content to be used for a battle with an enemy character. The first field is replenished with another game content alternative to the selected game content as needed so that the player can further select an additional game content therefrom.

Abstract: An operation detector has a common operation portion in which the operation content is shared for a certain length of time after the start of the operation, and detects the start of either a slide operation associated with a command to move a three-dimensional character operated by a player in a virtual space, or a flick operation associated with another command. After the start of the operation is detected, in the common operation period, a model processor moves the three-dimensional character in the virtual space. After this, if the operation detector has detected a slide operation, the model processor moves the three-dimensional character without interruption in the movement processing in the common operation period.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and sharing console gaming data is described. Embodiments capture gameplay data directly at the gaming console, without the need for external hardware. This allows users to easily capture rich console gaming experiences and share them across a variety of outlets. In one embodiment, the methods described herein can be implemented with a patch or driver on the operating system of the user device, rendering it unnecessary to heavily modify the source code of the game.

Abstract: Client machines are configured to compile shaders during execution of a program (e.g., a video game) that renders graphics on a display. These client machines may upload information—including a hardware configuration of the client machine, an application identifier (ID) of the program, and a set of shader IDs for compiled shaders—to a remote computing system, which catalogues the shader IDs, selectively requests compiled shader code from one or more of the client machines, and selectively prepares the compiled shader code for redistribution. Thereafter, a requesting client machine with a matching hardware configuration may receive compiled shader code from the remote system for a particular program, and may precache the compiled shader code for use during program execution.

Abstract: A three-dimensional virtual space is photographed by a virtual camera to generate a first image and a second image different from the first image. The first image synchronously displays the state of the virtual space, and the second image is displayed asynchronously with the first image. The first image and the second image are obtained by photographing the three-dimensional virtual space in parallel.

Abstract: A game system (1) includes a player object state determination unit (721) that determines the state of a player object in a virtual space, a search range determination unit (722) that determines a search range for searching for a non-player object based on the state of the player object, a target-object presence determination unit (723) that determines whether the non-player object is present in the search range, and a target-object setting unit (724) that sets the non-player object as a target of a cap throwing process if it is determined that the non-player object is present in the search range.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for transparently styling non-player characters (“NPCs”) in multiplayer video games such that it is difficult to distinguish between human players and computer-controlled NPCs. NPCs may be styled to resemble human players in terms of both player profile attributes and gameplay actions such that players may not recognize NPCs as non-human, computer-controlled players. Additionally, or alternatively, NPCs and/or human players may be presented with a limited set of profile attributes that may reduce or eliminate the ability to distinguish between human players and NPCs, one or more profile attributes may be “anonymized,” and/or the ability to view player profiles of human players and/or NPCs may be disabled altogether. In certain gameplay sessions including real and/or practice gameplay sessions, human players may be prompted to select from among a predetermined set of playable characters having predefined profile attributes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for augmenting a video game with an avatar of a real world person. A method provides for executing a video game being played by a user via a head mounted display (HMD). The method includes operations for identifying a generic spectator within the video game and determining virtual coordinates associated with the generic spectator. The method also provides receiving data associated with an avatar of a real world person that is usable to display the avatar within the video game in three-dimensional (3D) form. The method provides removing the generic spectator from view within the video game and inserting the avatar into the video game at the virtual coordinates associated with the generic spectator. The method further provides rendering a virtual reality (VR) presentation of the video game for the user having a view of the avatar and sending the VR presentation to an HMD of the user for display.

Abstract: In example embodiments, a method of limiting access to a gaming system is disclosed. Encoded content is embedded into an image presented by an application executing on a client device. The image is captured into an image buffer. The encoded content is retrieved from the image. A login request is sent to the gaming system. The login request includes the encoded content. A login response is received from the gaming system. The login response includes a success status. The success status is based on a verification of the encoded content. A notification of the success status is presented in a user interface on the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing rule based techniques for handling virtual entity manifestation into gameplay modes in accordance with gameplay restrictions of the individual gameplay modes. The system may comprise a host server including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may comprise a game module configured to execute an instance of the online game and to facilitate participation in one or more gameplay modes, a rule module configured to maintain rules corresponding to the restrictions for manifesting virtual entities into the individual gameplay modes, a creation module configured to create manifests including information corresponding to the rules for each gameplay mode, a determination module configured to determine which rules to apply to the virtual entities, and an application module configured to apply the rules according to the determinations.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards protecting against polymorphic cheat codes in a video game environment. A detour analyzer analyzes game code in client memory for possible hooks to parasite code. For each detected hook to parasite code, hook and/or parasite information is determined to generate a hook/parasite signatures, which are sent to a remote network device. Based on the hook/parasite signatures a weighted combination of scores are generated that is useable to determine a probability value that the parasite code is cheat code. If the determined probability value indicates cheat code, the user of the client device may be banned from future game play. Additionally, the hook/parasite signature information may be used to update the data store to detect polymorphic changes in the cheat code.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for simultaneously determining settings for a plurality of parameter variations. In use, a plurality of parameter variations associated with a device is identified, where the plurality of parameter variations are organized into a plurality of segments. Additionally, settings for each of the plurality of parameter variations are determined and consistency of the settings across the plurality of segments is ensured.

Abstract: An agent that may assist a service provider of gaming services with registering/signing up users, with accepting funds/money from a user and depositing these funds in a gaming account of the user for the user to play games with, and/or with receiving requests from a user to withdrawal funds from the user's account and paying the user the withdrawn funds. The agent may also assist a user in obtaining a report of an account of the user, the account being associated with a service provider that provides gaming services.

Abstract: A collaborative diplomacy mechanics system for an online game is described. A player selects an ally to be engaged in a combat mode of an online social game against an enemy. The profile of the selected ally is retrieved. An ally power up weapon is generated based on the profile of the selected ally. The ally power up weapon is applied against a combat unit of an enemy of a player in the combat mode. The ally power up weapon can also be applied on a combat unit of the player in the combat mode.

Abstract: A snapshot of a game may be generated by a client. At some point, a suspension request is delivered to a computer system. Once the suspension request is received, the computer system will suspend the emulated title. The computer system generates a snapshot of the game by recording the current state of all devices being emulated. The snapshot is then delivered to the client. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A control system includes a ride controller configured to maintain a plurality of rules indicative of permitted states of the free-roaming ride vehicle within a game area and including gameplay rules. The ride controller is configured to receive monitoring data indicative of a current state of a free-roaming ride vehicle, receive a signal indicative of a user request to perform a requested action with the free-roaming ride vehicle, model performance of the requested action from the current state to determine a modeled state of the free-roaming ride vehicle, and determine whether the modeled state complies with the plurality of rules. In response to determining the modeled state does not comply with the plurality of rules, the ride controller is configured to determine a proximate action that complies with the plurality of rules and provide a control signal to instruct the free-roaming ride vehicle to perform the proximate action.

Abstract: Systems and related methods related to structures with large-scale rotatable elements. Some of the present systems comprise: a tower; a tower hub coupled to the tower and having a transverse dimension of at least 50 feet; an observation wheel rotatably coupled to the tower and having a central wheel hub; a plurality of roller bearings disposed between the tower hub and the wheel hub to rotatably support the observation wheel relative to the structure, the roller bearings each having a diameter that is less than one quarter of the transverse dimension of the wheel hub.

Abstract: An inflatable assembly may include a housing that has a plurality of adjustment inflatables that may form a range of shapes at different levels of inflation. The inflatable may also include one or more sensors disposed on the housing and one or more valves disposed in the housing. The valves are controllable and configured to direct fluid flow into the plurality of adjustment inflatables. The assembly may also include a processor that receives data from the one or more sensors disposed on the housing and adjust one or more positions of the one or more valves based on the data to control fluid flow into one or more of the plurality of adjustment inflatables.

Abstract: A system may include an inflatable assembly having a plurality of members. The system may also include a plurality of sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside or around the inflatable assembly, such that the plurality of sensors may acquire data related to a shape of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes one or more valves, each configured to direct a fluid into a corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes a processor that adjusts positions of the one or more valves to cause the fluid to be directed into the corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly based on the data and a desired shape of the inflatable assembly.

Abstract: A motion simulator capable of preventing shaking of a riding part is disclosed. The motion simulator includes a riding part and a plurality of driving parts, wherein the plurality of driving parts include a first driving part, a second driving part and a third driving part, and the first driving part includes a first linear actuator configured to linearly reciprocate a first moving body, first movable link members each having a lower end portion hinged to the first moving body, a first fixed link member hinged to the first movable link members, a first support link member supporting one side of the first fixed link member and hinged at the lower end portion of the first fixed link member, and a second support link member supporting the other side of the first fixed link member.

Abstract: There described a computerized yo-yo toy that uses an acceleration measuring device, a computation and control device, a communication device and an electric clutch device to effect the motion of the computerized yo-yo toy. The acceleration measuring device measures the acceleration values of the computerized yo-yo toy. The computation and control device uses the measured acceleration values to generate control signals to the electric clutch device. The electric clutch device creates or eliminates friction with an outer case of a ball bearing, based on the control signals, to affect the motion of the computerized yo-yo toy. The communication device receives setup parameters from an external device and transmits the setup parameters to the computation and control device. The computation and control device may further generate the control signals to the electric clutch device based on the setup parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wound materials toy with internal figures and user engagement crafts may include a toy figure. The apparatus may include an elongated wrapping member selectably disposed around the toy figure. The elongated wrapping member, when disposed around the toy figure, may at least partially cover the toy figure. The apparatus may include a toy accessory detachably disposed on the elongated wrapping member. The elongated wrapping member, when disposed around the toy figure, may at least partially cover the toy accessory.

Abstract: The present invention comprises two or more rotatable three-dimensional bodies and a linkage between the bodies. By means of the linkage, the rotation of a first body causes a second body to rotate. In at least one of the rotational positions of the two or more bodies, the shapes of the bodies are designed to create a shaped cavity between a first body and a second body. The shaped cavity may be a tunnel, or the shaped cavity may be a recess or niche. As the at least two bodies are rotated, the shaped cavity may appear or disappear or may change shape, position, or orientation as the bodies are rotated.

Abstract: The automatic bubble dispensing wand is a portable and ergonomic apparatus that emits bubbles. The apparatus includes an elongated housing, at least one dispensing assembly, at least one fan mechanism, a motor, a pump, a solution reservoir, a microcontroller, and a power source. The elongated housing includes a handle portion, at least one dispensing end, at least one outlet, and an inlet. The handle portion is preferably positioned between a first dispensing end and a second dispensing end. The at least one dispensing assembly and the at least one fan mechanism are mounted within the at least one dispensing end. The motor, the pump, the solution reservoir, the microcontroller, and the power source are mounted within the handle portion. The at least one outlet traverses into the at least one dispensing end, and the inlet traverses into the handle portion.

Abstract: A process for cooling quench effluent includes providing a quench column effluent to a quench column aftercooler condensate; cooling the quench column effluent to provide a quench column aftercooler condensate; and recirculating at least a portion of the quench column aftercooler condensate to the quench column aftercooler at a rate to prevent fouling of the quench column aftercooler.

Abstract: An extractor may have a housing that maintains a solvent pool in which solids material being processed is immersed during operation. One or more bed decks can be positioned inside of the housing to provide multiple extraction stages. In some examples, the bed decks are arranged to provide one bed deck positioned at a vertically elevated position relative to another bed deck, thereby providing a drop zone where the solids material passing through the machine drops from the vertically elevated bed deck to a lower bed deck. To reduce the amount of solids material passing through the drop zone that becomes entrained in the solvent, the exactor can be configured with a settling zone. In some examples, the settling zone is formed by truncating the length of the vertically elevated bed deck, providing increased space and residence time for the solids material to fall out of suspension.

Abstract: The present document describes a system and a process for the extraction of several products from apple peel. There are several unit operations involved including an ultrafiltration unit, concentration unit, and a three stage counter current separator centrifuge wherein water is used as the solvent. The final products that are extracted from apple peel include pectin, syrup, fibers, as well as soluble and dried retenate fractions.

Abstract: A source supplier includes a source reservoir that contains a liquefied source fluid for a supercritical process, a vaporizer that vaporizes the liquefied source fluid into a gaseous source fluid under high pressure, a purifier that removes organic impurities and moistures from the gaseous source fluid and an analyzer connected to the purifier that analyzes an impurity fraction and a moisture fraction in the gaseous source fluid. Moisture and organic impurities are removed from the source fluid to reduce the moisture concentration of the supercritical fluid in the supercritical process.

Abstract: A filter for a chromatography system includes a filter body having an exterior wall, a cavity, an interior wall surrounding the cavity and a channel extending between the exterior and interior walls. The channel passes a flow of a liquid from the cavity. The filter body is formed of a sintered metal oxide material and has a pore size that is less than a particle size to be filtered liquid. In some embodiments the filter body is formed of zirconium oxide or aluminum oxide. The filters reduce or eliminate the types of reactions that occur between conventional filter bodies and chromatographic solvents and samples. The filters can be used at different locations in a chromatography system to remove particles that may be present in sources of chromatographic solvents or introduced into the chromatographic system flow by chromatographic components, such as pumps, valves and other chromatographic system components.

Abstract: Surface or submersible sluiceable systems are disclosed for use in removing hazardous contaminants or radioactive isotopes from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop or secondary loop of a nuclear reactor system, or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool or pond or hazardous or radioactive contaminants in ground water. Generally, this surface or submersible sluiceable system is adapted to be utilized in a surface skid or submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the vessels are adapted to be sluiced and reused after use, resulting in a potentially stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume for storage or disposal. The system can be utilized with standard ion exchange beads or preferably with inorganic granular media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enhanced multi-dimensional chromatography system and method using selectable At-Column Dilution to improve compatibility of the interface and transfer between the multiple dimensions. The use of At-Column Dilution (“ACD”) with multi-dimensional chromatography can provide greater retention of the diverted components on subsequent stationary phases, and increase the sensitivity and peak shape of the component(s) separated on subsequent dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus of a combination of laser wave mixing technology with diagnostic flow technologies with embodiments describing supercritical fluid chromatography. The combination of these technologies along with minute detection levels have not yet been seen in the field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a bitumen-containing process stream and controlling a process. The method including directing a beam of infrared light at the bitumen-containing process stream, capturing light corresponding to the infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream, and analyzing the captured light to obtain a spectrum. A composition estimate can be generated based on the spectrum and a calibrated model. A controller is operative to adjust a setpoint of the process in response to the composition estimate.

Abstract: A mobile water treatment plant includes a container (10) having: a plurality of tanks, including a clarifying tank fitted with a multiplicity of inclined plates defining a multiplicity of channels there between, an upstream tank from which water is arranged to be fed to the clarifying tank and a downstream tank to which water is arranged to be fed from the clarifying tank; means for introducing a neutralizing agent into water in the upstream tank; at least one storage space within the interior space of the container for accommodating the neutralizing agent. The container is of generally cuboidal shape having a length greater than its width and having sides, ends, a top and a bottom and has corner fittings positioned to enable standard equipment for handling freight containers to engage the container and the overall width of the container is substantially the same as the width of a standard freight container.

Abstract: A fuel filter has a filter housing and a fuel filter insert exchangeably arranged in the filter housing and provided with a prefilter element and a main filter element. Prefilter element and main filter element are positioned one behind the other in the filter housing in axial direction of the filter housing. A fuel discharge channel is arranged in the filter housing below the fuel filter insert. In operating position of the fuel filter insert in the filter housing, the raw sides of prefilter element and of main filter element are sealed relative to the fuel discharge channel by seal-tight contact of the fuel filter insert on the filter housing. The raw side of the main filter element, when the fuel filter insert is moved by axial movement away from the operating position, is fluidically connected with the fuel discharge channel via the raw side of the prefilter element.

Abstract: A method of making depth filtration media, such as for use in a depth filter, are described. The resulting depth filtration media includes a core tube having two or more different layers. The layers can be fibers, such as polymeric or inorganic fibers, wrapped layers of a filter material, or pleated and folded layers of a filter material.

Abstract: A supercritical fluid power generation system includes an automatic filter cleaning apparatus, which is used in an automatic filter cleaning method. The system includes a cooler configured to cause a phase change of a working fluid from a gaseous state to a liquid state or to cool the working fluid to a low temperature; a fluid pump configured to receive and compress the working fluid from the cooler; a heat exchanger configured to heat the working fluid via a heat exchange with the working fluid which has passed through the fluid pump; at least one turbine configured to expand the heated working fluid and connected to a generator to produce electric power; a plurality of transport pipes in which the working fluid flows; and plural filter lines configured to remove, via back-flushing, a foreign substance included in the working fluid present in at least one of the transport pipes.

Abstract: An endless elongate structure adapted to circulate around a path. The endless elongate structure comprises a central longitudinal portion and two lateral longitudinal portions on opposed sides of the central longitudinal portion for supporting the central longitudinal portion therebetween. The central longitudinal portion and two lateral longitudinal portions are connected together by joiners. The central longitudinal portion is adapted to be assembled into a movable tubular formation which is adapted to be continuously assembled at one end thereof and continuously disassembled at another end thereof during movement of the elongate structure along the path. The central longitudinal portion has two longitudinal edge sections adapted to be releasably connected together for assembling the tubular formation by a slidably interlocking connector. The slidably interlocking connector is integrated with the two longitudinal edge sections by joiners.

Abstract: Filtration systems having a normal filtration mode and an enhanced filtration mode are described. In some arrangements, the filtration system is an air filtration system having a primary air filter element, a pre-cleaner, and a pre-cleaner bypass valve. Based on feedback from an intake air quality sensor the bypass valve is either opened or closed to selectively route intake air through the pre-cleaner during sensed dirty air operating conditions (e.g., heavy dust or moisture concentrations). In other arrangements, the filtration system is a liquid filtration system (e.g., a fuel or oil a secondary filter. The filtration system selectively routes the liquid being filtered through the main filter, the secondary filter, or a combination thereof depending on a detected event or sensed characteristic of the liquid.

Abstract: a filtering method, with which a fluid to be filtered is led through a filter (4), the filter (4) is back-flushed at regular time intervals and a pre-treatment agent is added to the fluid at the entry side of the filter. A process variable which describes the efficiency of the filtration is continuously computed during the filtration, and a metering quantity of the pre-treatment agent is reset on the basis of the values for the process variable or a characteristic values derived from this.

Abstract: Provided is a granular filtration media comprising a mixture of granular filtration media and less than 5% of nanofibers based on the dry weight, method of making the same and uses of the same for removing contaminants from water, including metals, heavy metals, synthetic or natural organic matters, colloidal or suspended particles to improve the chemical safety and purity of water for the purpose of water purification, specifically, one embodiment of the present invention disclosed is use of the granular filtration media to remove particulate lead from high pH water.