Abstract: A piece of footwear, such as ice skating boots, is provided wherein a skating blade system is operable to be pivoted, tilted and/or rotated about at least two axes so as to enable the skating blade to be vertically aligned with the knee/upper portion of the lower leg (e.g., proximal portion of the tibia) of the skater so as to maintain proper balance. The adjustable skating blade system can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skating blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. The skating blade system may include a skating blade and at least one mounting system. The mounting system may be provided on the underside surface of the sole and/or heel platform of the skating boot. The mounting system may be positioned at the heel, toe, and/or the mid-foot positions of the underside surface of the sole and/or heel platform of the ice skating boot.

Abstract: A gliding or rolling board, having a length measured along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, a width measured along a transverse direction between a first slide and a second slide, and a height measured between a bottom and a top, the board including a first zone for receiving a foot or a boot, and a second zone for receiving a foot or boot. Between the receiving zones, the board includes a first flexing zone located toward the first receiving zone, as well as a second flexing zone located toward the second receiving zone.

Abstract: A ski system includes a ski, a heel binding provided on an upper surface of the ski, a toe binding mount provided on the upper surface of the ski forward of the heel binding, a toe binding releasably mounted to the toe binding mount, and a quick-release locking mechanism for locking the toe binding to the toe binding mount. The quick-release locking mechanism is configured for release by hand.

Abstract: A two wheeled recreational board (1) which an individual can ride across smooth or rough terrain. Wheels (11, 12) are mounted on an elongated board (2) in line with a central axis (9) of the elongated board and located proximate to a front end (3) and rear end (4), respectively, of the elongated board. The wheels are mounted on raised axles (13) that only allow a predetermined portion of the wheels to extend below the elongated board. This makes the board easier to maneuver without the board tipping over.

Abstract: A method for conducting a game includes receiving an ante wager and optional side wagers. A player hand, a dealer hand, and a community set are dealt. A first option is conducted for the player to place a raise wager or check. After the first option, a portion of the community set is exposed, followed by a second option to place a raise wager or check, unless a raise wager was previously received. A portion of the dealer hand is exposed, followed by a third option to place a raise wager or fold, unless a raise wager was previously received. The remainder of the community set and dealer hand are exposed, a final player hand and final dealer hand are formed, and wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the final player hand to the final dealer hand, and whether the final dealer hand has a qualifying holding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manipulating numeric panels according to an evaluation of a division operation using a division token is provided. At step (1) of the method, a method participant uses a mathematical operator token to randomly select a mathematical operator from a plurality of mathematical operators one of which being a division operator. At step (2) of the method, upon the selected mathematical operator comprising the division operator, the method participant randomly selects a division operation from a plurality of predefined division operations using a division token and evaluating the selected division operation, the division token comprising a plurality of division indicia each associated with one of the predefined division operations, each of the division operations evaluating solely to an integer quotient. At step (3) of the method, the method participant manipulates a subset of available panels from an array of numeric panels.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including a representation of a ball queue. In one example, a display for a bingo game represents a queue of one or more upcoming ball calls for the bingo game. In some embodiments, a ball queue may include partial information about an upcoming ball call (e.g., an indication of a corresponding bingo card column but not a bingo number).

Abstract: A wagering system having: a physical roulette wheel; a source of multiple drop balls; a selection system that selects a single drop ball from a roulette ball storage area; and the roulette ball storage area storing a first roulette ball of a first color in a first accessible area and storing a second roulette ball of a second color in a second accessible area. The processor recognizing wagers on roulette wagering event outcomes and side bets placed at a player position on roulette wagering event outcomes. The processor is configured to resolve wagers at a player position with the side bet being recognized on roulette wagering event outcomes that do occur at odds against a second paytable with odds on at least some winning event outcomes that are higher than odds on the same at least some winning event outcomes without a side bet.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display, a game player input means and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller controls play of a game in which a winning game result causes a prize to be awarded to a game player. The game comprises an interactive sequence related to a tournament in which a representation of a first video-player, of one team is displayed. An action of the first video-player to be executed is selected by the game player via the game player input means and the game controller selects an action to be performed by another video player. Depending on an outcome resulting from the selected actions, an award is made to the game player.

Abstract: A plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal display on which a plurality of symbols are lined up, a plurality of upper displays forming a single common effect image display screen constituted by gaming terminal areas corresponding to the respective gaming terminals, and a center controller are included. The center controller determines whether a common game is being run when an independent special game is started, and produces an effect in the gaming terminal area corresponding to the gaming terminal, only when the common game is not being run.

Abstract: An in-vehicle gaming system may be played by a driver alone, or simultaneously or individually by a driver and/or one or more other users. The in-vehicle gaming system may be activated or controlled by, for example, touch, voice, or gesture. Gameplay is dynamically adjusted based at least in part on environmental factors such that the driver is not distracted from driving the vehicle. Game content is generated based at least in part on environmental factors and user data.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon an information processing program executable by a computer of an information processing device which presents information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a user, is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to function as biological signal acquiring means, motion/attitude information acquiring means, and presentation means. The biological signal acquiring means acquires the biological signal from the user. The motion/attitude information acquiring means acquires information about a motion or an attitude of the user from detecting means, in association with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means. The presentation means performs predetermined presentation based on both the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means and the information acquired by the motion/attitude information acquiring means.

Abstract: A pivoting camera viewpoint is provided so that when an animated game character uses a bow and arrow or other weapon, the camera adopts a third person 3D view based on the relative position of the game character and the target that game character is aiming his bow at. The user positions a target cursor on the desired target. This causes an imaginary line segment or plane to be drawn in 3D space between the desired target and the game character (or possibly the game character's bow). The imaginary line segment or plane continues through and past the game character, and the character keeps the weapon, if it is a missile weapon, pointed along this line segment. Additionally, the player can lock onto a target, and freely move a character around. While in lock-on mode, the camera automatically repositions itself to keep both the character and the target visible to a player.

Abstract: A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and computer readable instructions are disclosed herein for dynamically allocating fixed bandwidth over a wireless link between a video game console and a wireless peripheral device. In an embodiment, the voice sample rate in a wireless microphone may be dynamically adjusted to free up bandwidth that can be repurposed for other operations. The sample rate adjustment can range from maximum where the bandwidth is filled with voice data to a lesser sample rate. In the case where the sample rate is less than max, the freed up bandwidth can be for used for other operations.

Abstract: Partitioned artificial intelligence (AI) for networked gaming. An exemplary system splits the AI into a computationally lightweight server-side component and a computationally intensive client-side component to harness the aggregate computational power of numerous gaming clients. Aggregating resources of many, even thousands of client machines enhances game realism in a manner that would be prohibitively expensive on the central server. The system is tolerant of latency between server and clients. Deterministic and stateless client-side components enable rapid handoff, preemptive migration, and replication of the client-side AI to address problems of client failure and game exploitation. The partitioned AI can support tactical gaming navigation, a challenging task to offload because of sensitivity to latency. The tactical navigation AI calculates influence fields partitioned into server-side and client-side components by means of a Taylor-series approximation.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods facilitate a server-based gaming environment. In one implementation, a method includes transmitting a video stream of a gaming environment and a region definition for an object in the gaming environment to a client device. A result of a comparison of a location of a selection input in the gaming environment to the region definition is received from a client device. The result indicates that the location of the selection input identifies an area within the region definition. The object is selected based on the selection input corresponding to the region definition.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method are provided for displaying feed-based information in an online game. Player feeds are received in a game networking system. A specification for displaying information from the player feeds in the game networking system is accessed. A first player profile is accessed for a first player in an online game, the first player profile identifying one or more characteristics of the first player. The first-player profile is used with the specification to determine a first display profile for displaying information from the player feeds to the first player. The feed-based information is generated for the first player by using the first display profile to access the player feeds, and the feed-based information is then displayed to the first player through a user interface of the online game.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a challenge event. The challenge event is communicated to at least two participants in a form of an event specification. A proposal for a solution that meets the specification is received from each participant. Only one participant is chosen from the at least two participants, based on the proposal previously received from each participant. The solution is received in a form of a document or computer code from the chosen only one participant.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a challenge event. At least two participants are selected to participate in the challenge event based on determining that the participants are expected to perform well in the challenge event. Selection of the participants utilizes data elements provided for managing the challenge event. Assets of computer code are provided to the participants for assisting the participants to deliver respective submissions as outcomes of participation by the participants in the challenge event. The challenge event is conducted with the participants.

Abstract: Some implementations may include one or more servers to host multiple game instances of game modules. The one or more servers may determine whether a difference between a total rendering time to render output data for the multiple game instances and a rendering capacity of the one or more processors is less than a predetermined rendering threshold. In response to determining that the difference between the total rendering time and the rendering capacity of the one or more processors is less than the predetermined rendering threshold, the one or more servers may adjust a rendering complexity associated with one or more of the plurality of game instances.

Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.

Abstract: A server device is configured to display a game screen on a user terminal used by a user. The server device includes an item manager configured to manage points of an item obtained by the user for use in the game, and a game processor configured to calculate a first total value of points of an item selected by the user via the user terminal, to calculate a second total value of points of an item for increasing the first total value, and to increase the first total value according to the second total value.

Abstract: A wind tunnel may comprise: a flight chamber; a plurality of diffusers; a plurality of expanding corners, wherein the plurality of expanding corners comprises a first expanding corner and a second expanding corner; and a return, the return configured to have disposed therein a fan operatively coupled with a motor.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for real time sound effect modulation based on attitude variations. The system may include one or more position sensors installed on a moving object, with the position sensors reporting positional data associated with the moving object. A memory may contain predetermined criteria for altering characteristics of a sound associated with the moving object, and a database may contain sound examples. A processor may receive the positional data from the position sensors and determine positional changes based on the data. The processor may fetch sound examples from the database and fetch predetermined criteria from the memory. The processor may modulate the sound examples based on positional changes according to the predefined criteria to produce modulated sound examples. The processor may aggregate the modulated sound examples to produce an aggregated modulated sound example. Speakers on the moving object may emit the aggregated modulated sound example.

Abstract: A remote control helicopter includes a body, a tail wing, a rotor assembly, a landing skid assembly, and a charging port on the bottom of the helicopter. The remote control for the helicopter includes an outer housing, landing skid grooves, a power switch, a throttle control stick that controls the ascent and the descent, a direction control stick that controls the turning or rotation of the helicopter, and a charging plug.

Abstract: A kinetic entertainment device comprises one or more elongated flexible strips anchored to a surface either directly or via a base. As a result, the strip can be modified into a desired static shape and, upon excitation, a corresponding kinetic (i.e., motion) shape.

Abstract: A building toy and a method of building with it. The toy is designed to be constructed of a rigid and generally non-deformable material such as, but not limited to, wood and particularly hardwood, and is constructed in the fashion of a log-style building toy. The toy utilizes interconnecting notches in its construction, but provides for a variety of specialized pieces which allow for interconnection of parts where there is one notch but not another, as well as the ability to build roofs, floors, and specialty structures such as fireplaces through the use of specialized components. Further, the use of more strongly connecting components allows for stronger structures to be built.

Abstract: The spherical desalination device includes a hollow spherical transparent shell serving as a distillation chamber or still. Water initially flows through an underground system for geothermal heating, then flows into the hollow shell. The water flows from the upper portion of the shell, filling a series of concentric circular trays arranged in a conical stack within the shell. Water cascades from the smallest diameter uppermost tray to the largest lowermost tray, in sequence. Sunlight focused on the transparent shell causes the water to evaporate, and condensation collects upon the interior surface of the shell. A resilient seal extends about the lower rim of the largest and lowest evaporator tray, and is located at the equator of the hollow shell. The shell is rotated by an external motor, thereby drawing the internal surface of the shell across the seal to remove collected condensation from the internal surface of the shell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process/system for the fractionation of bio-oil, produced from the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass, into boiling point fractions. The fractionation of the bio-oil is performed using molecular distillation under conditions which minimize the thermal stress to the bio-oil and fractions obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.

Abstract: Extraction devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. Example devices have a solvent chamber, a plant material chamber, a collection chamber, and a solvent return that create a sealed, closed-cycle extraction and/or solvent purification process. Any extractable plant material can be used in the disclosed devices, methods, and systems although in some examples some form of the cannabis plant is used.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing carbonyl sulfide in a gas phase hydrocarbon stream. The process may include combining the gas phase hydrocarbon stream with another stream including an alkali and an alkanolamine, and passing the combined stream to a prewash zone including a vessel. The gas phase hydrocarbon may include carbonyl sulfide, and the alkali can include at least one of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and ammonia. Usually, the vessel contains a contacting zone and a coalescing zone for removing the carbonyl sulfide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid flow having pre-defined characteristics by mixing liquid flows of at least two different component stock solutions with each other comprises the steps of determining a selected property value for one or more of the stock solutions by sensing, in a flow of each stock solution separately, at least one characteristic related to the property value for the stock solution, and based on the determined property value or values, mixing the stock solution flows in mixing ratios giving the desired mixed liquid flow. A system for carrying out the method comprises sensor means and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to evaluate the characteristics sensed by the sensor means and provide relative ratios of stock solutions required to obtain a mixed liquid flow having the pre-defined characteristics.

Abstract: A chromatography column design and a packing device, as well as a method for obtaining a column with a very compact and uniform bed are provided. The bed remains compact and uniform during operation of the column and during sanitization, storage and transportation of the column. The amount of hardware, particularly the hardware parts in contact with product, is minimized, especially with the implementation of an internal liner. With this internal liner, the packed bed can be separated from the column in intact form, or even prepared separately from, and outside of, the column.

Abstract: A desanding system has an elongated vessel that is tilted at a non-zero inclination angle. The vessel has an upper end that tilts downwardly towards a distal end and has a diverging bounding wall so as to define a top wall having a first inclination angle and a bottom wall having a second inclination angle greater than the first inclination angle. A fluid inlet interface at the vessel's upper end discharges a gas stream, having entrained liquids and particulates, into a freeboard portion formed adjacent the top wall above a gas/liquid interface formed below the fluid outlet. A cross-sectional area of the freeboard portion causes precipitation of the entrained liquids and particulates therefrom for collection in a belly storage portion formed below the interface. A desanded gas stream, being free of a substantial portion of the particulates is removed from the vessel through a fluid outlet adjacent the distal base.

Abstract: Disclosed, is a drive (101) for a sedimentation tank (1000) comprising a main ring gear (160) operatively connected to a cage (150) via a web portion (152). A bearing transfer ring (170) is provided to the web portion (152) such that a gap (172) is provided between the bearing transfer ring (170) and the main ring gear (160). The bearing transfer ring (170) is connected to a first bearing race (144) which communicates with a second bearing race (142) that is fastened to a base portion (136) of the drive (101). Torque (T) is delivered to the cage (150) to turn a rake assembly (1002). The gap (172) provides clearance for deflections, distortions, or deformations of the main ring gear (160) caused by bending stresses (B) in the main ring gear (160) may. The bearing transfer ring (170) absorbs stresses imparted to the main ring gear (160) and prevents fasteners (188) connected to stiff bearing races (144) from shearing.

Abstract: A customizable multi-stage fluid treatment assembly typically includes a connector, a plurality of cartridges, and a cap. The plurality of cartridges have a treatment medium spaced within an interior volume of the individual cartridges, between the ends thereof. The ends of the plurality of cartridges are configured to receive a fluid, bring the fluid into operative contact with the treatment medium, and dispense the fluid from the opposing end of the cartridge. The connector is coupled with one end of the plurality of cartridges and has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and dispensing the fluid to and from an appliance. The cap is coupled with the other end of the plurality of cartridges, enclosing the fluid treatment assembly, which is configured to be received in a cavity of an appliance. The cartridges of the plurality of cartridges may be individually replaced with cartridges to meet customized needs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer filter. The filter comprises at least a first layer comprising a plurality of openings and at least a second permeable layer overlaying the first layer and reducing the size of the openings. The filter may further comprise one or more successive layers overlaying the second layer, wherein each layer further successively reduces the size of the openings. The filter may be used for separation of particles from fluid or gas. There is also provided a method for fabricating a multilayer filter.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and method for filtering a liquid. The filter apparatus comprises a housing that has at least one inlet for admission of the liquid to be filtered and at least one outlet for discharge of the filtered liquid. The apparatus further comprises at least two substantially cylindrical filter elements that can be fitted into the housing and which have a plurality of openings through which the liquid can flow to filter particles out of the liquid, and at least one filter cleaning element that can be introduced into a respective filter element in a region of an inner surface of the filter element to increase a flow speed of the liquid to be filtered so that substances in the filter element are flushed away. The filter elements are further connected in a parallel arrangement in the filter apparatus.

Abstract: A spiral irrigation filter cleaning apparatus includes a filter framework having a tubular wall defining a plurality of apertures, the filter framework having a platform extending outwardly from the lower end. A filter media is constructed of a flexible and permeable material configured to wrap around the filter framework. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning assembly configured to surround the filter framework. The cleaning assembly includes an upper ring and an opposed lower ring, the lower ring configured to rest freely upon the platform. The cleaning assembly further includes a plurality of spaced apart scraping members each having an upper end coupled to the upper ring and a lower end coupled to the lower ring and extending in a spiral configuration. A plurality of turbine blades is coupled to an outer surface of the upper ring to urge the cleaning assembly to rotate when contacted by a water stream.

Abstract: A cap has recess containing a porous frit and a graded porosity filter located so fluid from a container to which the cap is connected passes through the filter and out a spout on the cap. The filter porosity is selected to pass product expressed from cellular organisms grown in growth media inside the container while filtering out debris. A cap vent allows positive pressure in the container ullage to expedite filtering and reduce agitation of the container contents. This is not just a cap with a filter but an enabling tool. This tool enables total design change in many processes from previous thinking, allowing for the maximization of purified material, and reduction of multiple steps.

Abstract: A system for detecting an interface between a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream comprising solvent, polymer and unreacted monomer produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein a tank is configured to provide a residence time of at least 20 minutes and to permit the stream to separate into the polymer rich phase and the solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase, wherein the first sonic transponder is positioned such that it transmits the signal which travels perpendicularly to the liquid-liquid interface is provided.

Abstract: A sealed honeycomb structure which can suppress increase of pressure loss and improve durability favorably is disclosed. A sealed honeycomb structure 100 including includes a honeycomb structure having porous walls dividedly forming inlet cells and outlet cells, an outlet side sealing portion, and an inlet side sealing portion, wherein an opening area of the inlet cell is larger than an opening area of an outlet cell on a cross-section of the honeycomb structure, wherein at least one outlet cell is a reinforced cell where a reinforcing part for reinforcing the outlet cell is formed at at least one corner portion at which the walls on a cross-section vertical to an extending direction of the cell cross each other, and wherein the inlet cell is a non-reinforced cell where the reinforcing part is not formed at all the corner portions at which the walls on the cross-section vertical to the extending direction of the cell cross each other.

Abstract: A collapsible 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 mechanical filter-based air pollution control system for removing particle and gas phase pollutants in a waste airstream exhausted from commercial cooking operations is described, which includes a housing enclosing at least three filter stages to remove particle and gas pollutants in the airstream. The example system may include a fogger assembly that sprays fog droplets into the waste airstream to condense a portion of gas phase pollutants into condensed particles, a wash mechanism including spray nozzles to wash surfaces of the first stage filter to remove grease therefrom, and injection means for injecting activated ozone, which comprises ozone with a surplus of hydroxyl radicals, into the housing to initiate advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to decompose particle and gas phase pollutants within the waste airstream in the filters. Where activated ozone is employed, the system includes a fourth stage filter that adsorbs and retains gas phase pollutants for subsequent oxidation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an air cleaning filter that includes a ginseng extract, a binder and a supporting material, and a method of manufacturing the same. The present disclosure may remove or sterilize microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like, and provide an air cleaning function along with antibiotic and deodorization functions as well as provide an air cleaning filter which is safe to the human body.

Abstract: Dynamic filtration systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filtration system can include a filter device having a body portion positioned between first and second end portions and a filter media in a cavity defined by the body portion. The filter media can be configured to filter a predetermined substance from a ferrofluid. The filter device can further include a coil at the body portion, a first magnetic plate proximate the first end portion and a second magnetic plate proximate the second end portion. The coil can generate a first magnetic field across the body portion, and the first and second magnetic plates interact to form a second magnetic field across the body portion. The first and second magnetic fields can be configured to drive filtration of the ferrofluid.

Abstract: Various examples of the inventive subject matter include a method and corresponding system for fabricating a combination paint arrestance filter for use in the painting industry. Embodiments of the system include a single-stage combination filter having a number of first layer media pockets and a number of second layer media pockets arranged downstream of the first layer pockets. An opening of each of the first layer media pockets is arranged in parallel with one another to receive an incoming airflow into the single-stage combination filter. Each of the second layer media pockets is at least 99.97% efficient at removing 0.3 micron and larger particles at a face velocity on the filter of about 37 meters per minute.

Abstract: A venturi scrubber, which has a flow channel defined by a confuser, a throat, and a diffuser in sequence and which has a longitudinal axis. The throat has a throat wall, with nozzles for injecting scrubbing liquid into the throat. At least one insert body in the throat reduces the flow cross-section in the flow channel by at most 45%, preferably at most 30%, especially preferably at most 20%. The insert body is located preferably in a region of the longitudinal extension of the throat after the nozzles, as viewed in the direction from the confuser to the diffuser.