A method of cloud gaming is disclosed. The method including receiving an encoded video frame at a client, wherein a server executes an application to generate a rendered video frame which is then encoded at an encoder at the server as the encoded video frame, wherein the encoded video frame includes one or more encoded slices that are compressed. The method including decoding the one or more encoded slices at a decoder of the client to generate one or more decoded slices. The method including rendering the one or more decoded slices for display at the client. The method including begin displaying the one or more decoded slices that are rendered before fully receiving the one or more encoded slices at the client.

A method is disclosed including setting, at a plurality of devices, a plurality of VSYNC signals to a plurality of VSYNC frequencies, wherein a corresponding device VSYNC signal of a corresponding device is set to a corresponding device VSYNC frequency. The method including sending a plurality of signals between the plurality of devices, which are analyzed and used to adjust the relative timing between corresponding device VSYNC signals of at least two devices.

A method of cloud gaming is disclosed. The method including receiving an encoded video frame at a client, wherein a server executes an application to generate a rendered video frame which is then encoded at an encoder at the server as the encoded video frame, wherein the encoded video frame includes one or more encoded slices that are compressed. The method including decoding the one or more encoded slices at a decoder of the client to generate one or more decoded slices. The method including rendering the one or more decoded slices for display at the client. The method including begin displaying the one or more decoded slices that are rendered before fully receiving the one or more encoded slices at the client.

A method is disclosed including setting, at a server, a server VSYNC signal to a server VSYNC frequency. The server VSYNC signal corresponding to generation of video frames during frame periods for the server VSYNC frequency. The method including setting, at a client, a client VSYNC signal to a client VSYNC frequency. The method including sending compressed video frames from the server to the client over a network using the server VSYNC signal, wherein the compressed video frames are based on the generated video frames. The method including decoding and displaying, at the client, the compressed video frames. The method including analyzing the timing of one or more client operations to adjust the relative timing between the server VSYNC signal and the client VSYNC signal, as the client receives the compressed video frames.

A method is disclosed including setting, at a server, a server VSYNC signal to a server VSYNC frequency defining a plurality of frame periods. The server VSYNC signal corresponding to generation of a plurality of video frames at the server during the plurality of frame periods. The method including setting, at a client, a client VSYNC signal to a client VSYNC frequency. The method including sending a plurality of compressed video frames based on the plurality of video frames from the server to the client over a network using the server VSYNC signal. The method including decoding and displaying, at the client, the plurality of compressed video frames. The method including analyzing the timing of one or more client operations to set the amount of frame buffering used by the client, as the client receives the plurality of compressed video frames.

The present specification describes a system and method for providing conditional access to a virtual gaming item possessed by a first player of a video game to a second player. The method includes: creating a database of conditionally accessible virtual items, wherein said accessibility is determined based on at least one predefined condition; modifying an attribute of the virtual item for making the second player aware that said item is available for conditional access for a predefined period of time; fulfilling, by the second player, at least one access condition; and providing accessibility to the item to the second player for the predefined period of time.

A method is disclosed including setting, at a server, a server VSYNC signal to a server VSYNC frequency. The server VSYNC signal corresponding to generation of video frames during frame periods for the server VSYNC frequency. The method including setting, at a client, a client VSYNC signal to a client VSYNC frequency. The method including sending compressed video frames from the server to the client over a network using the server VSYNC signal, wherein the compressed video frames are based on the generated video frames. The method including decoding and displaying, at the client, the compressed video frames. The method including analyzing the timing of one or more client operations to adjust the relative timing between the server VSYNC signal and the client VSYNC signal, as the client receives the compressed video frames.

A system that wirelessly integrates actual game equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated game of golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system includes smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle, and a golf club motion sensing devices, all containing circuits, contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a game between one or more local players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

A multifunctional self-contained system that wirelessly integrates actual sports equipment with a computer providing critical feedback to improve all aspects of a player's game, and also allows players to play an actual competitive real or visually simulated game or sports with one or more players. Therefore, an individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing skills and techniques. The system includes sport implements that include, but are not limited to, smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, all containing circuits with contact sensors and or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game status and performance parameters to a remote receiver and computer. The computer then optionally displays important parameters such as proximity of a sports implement contact face to an object, the impact of a sports implement with a sports equipment item, wherein the contact force, contact time, impact location, face angle, spatial orientation of a sports implement in motion, and the subsequent energy, velocity, and trajectory of game projectile such as a golf ball. The sports implements can be further equipped with motion sensing devices, and its motion and swing trajectory is visually simulated on the computer display. Standard sport implements which include, but are not limited to, golf clubs may be retrofitted with the device sensors and associated electronic circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information to players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information.

There is provided a method that includes (a) receiving an activation signal from a user interface, (b) receiving data indicative of an occurrence of an event, (c) allotting a benefit, in response to the occurrence of the event, (d) recognizing that the event occurred within a window of time with respect to a time of occurrence of the activation signal, and (e) modifying the benefit to yield a modified benefit. There is also provided a system that performs the method.