Abstract: A method of tracking health and performance statistics of visitors to a health theme park is utilized to monitor vital signs and activity performance (VSAP) statistics for visitors participating in a theme park activity. At least one database server manages a plurality of user profiles for visitors to the theme park. The VSAP statistics are measured during the theme park activity with a corresponding wearable health monitoring (WHM) device that is associated with the visitor. The visitor is ranked amongst other visitors based on at least one performance metric that is quantitatively assessed based on the VSAP statistics. A performance rank is generated based on the at least one performance metric. The corresponding WHM device is capable of a plurality of ancillary features that may be selected through the corresponding WHM device. A desired feature is executed with the at least one database server.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for tracking the location of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of tracking a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes determining a location of the participant during the fitness activity based on data received at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining a location of a spectator during the fitness activity based on data received at a mobile spectator device used by the spectator; from a server, sending an alert to a spectator at a spectator device during the fitness activity indicating that the participant is within a predetermined distance of the spectator; and sending an alert to the portable fitness device during the fitness activity indicating that the spectator is within a predetermined distance of the participant.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.

Abstract: Disclosed are a personalized exercise service providing method and an apparatus thereof. An personalized exercise service providing apparatus according to an example includes a user class identifier configured to identify user class of a user; an exercise data acquisitor configured to acquire exercise data of the user; and a model generator configured to generate a personalized exercise model of the user based on a standard exercise model corresponding to the determined user class and the acquired exercise data of the user to provide the most effective exercise model to each user through user recognition.

Abstract: An extendable rope protecting sheath is an apparatus that extends over an existing climbing rope in order to provide a barrier that protects said climbing rope from fraying and weakening as a result of direct contact with damaging surfaces. The apparatus includes an extendable sheath which folds over the climbing rope and is secured onto itself by an inner fastening strip and an outer fastening strip. The apparatus includes a first breakaway recovery strap which is connected to the extendable sheath and used to attach a breakaway wristband to the extendable sheath. The attachment between the breakaway wristband and the extendable sheath allows the user to adjust the apparatus with minimal interference to the user's range of motion. The apparatus uses a first double-sided fastening strip and a second double-sided fastening strip to secure the apparatus to the climbing rope and link multiple extendable rope protecting sheaths together.

Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball which comprises dimples having a cross section defined by the superposition of two or more continuous and differentiable functions, and particularly the superposition of a spherical curve and a cosine curve. Additionally, the dimples preferably have a circular boundary and maintain an axis coincident with the center of the circular boundary.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a non-dissolvable layer having a spherical outer surface; and a dissolvable tie layer or dissolvable layer, dispersible in water heated to a heating temperature of about 80° C.-90° C. or greater, disposed concentrically about the spherical outer surface and being bonded with the first non-dissolvable layer at an interface there between. The dissolvable tie layer/dissolvable layer may be formed from a composition consisting of a 1-50 percent aqueous mono-valent high acid ionomer dispersion, or, from an ionomer resin composition. The ionomer of either composition has an acid level greater than 18%; has more than 45% of acid groups that are neutralized with a monovalent cation; and is formed from an acid copolymer having a starting melt index of greater than 180 g/10 min. @ 190° C. with a 2160 g load. The dissolvable tie layer/dissolvable layer may have a thickness of less than about 0.010 inches, and up to about 0.090 inches in some embodiments.

Abstract: A golf ball of the invention comprises: a substrate layer formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface that is pre-modified with a catalytic coating; a metallic film that is formed about the outer surface by contacting the catalytic coating with a mixture comprising: (i) at least one aqueous and/or organic aerosol comprising at least one metal in cationic/oxidizing form; and (ii) at least one reducing agent; and a subsequent layer surrounding the metallic film and formed from at least one of a thermoset composition or a thermoplastic composition. Alternatively, the outer surface is not pre-modified. The subsequent layer may be formed about the metallic film or in some embodiments may surround a coating layer that is disposed between the metallic film and the subsequent layer.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed silicone composition and a cover are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core structures can be made. Preferably, a dual-core having has a silicone foam inner core (center) and surrounding silicone foam outer core layer is made. The core layers can have different hardness gradients. The silicone foam center and outer core layer have good thermal stability and durability and provide the ball with good resiliency.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided that has a spherical core exhibiting a stiffness from 400 MPa to 200 GPa. The stiffness of the core may be controlled by adjusting the materials of construction and the ratio of the materials. This results in a golf ball that is legal for play and capable of drive distances essentially equivalent to those of currently-available high performance golf balls, but also provides a golf ball that has less hook and slice during play.

Abstract: Golf balls having multi-layered covers and single or multi-layered cores are provided. The cover includes an inner cover layer made of an aromatic polyurethane composition; and outer cover layer made of an aliphatic polyurethane composition. Ethylene acid copolymer ionomers can be used to make a second inner cover layer. Preferably, the total thickness of the multi-layered cover is preferably no greater than 0.110 inches. Thermoplastic and thermoset polyurethanes can be used to form the cover. The invention also includes casting methods for making such multi-layered covers. The resulting ball has good light-stability, cut/shear-resistance, and impact durability.

Abstract: In a golf ball having, in order, a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the following conditions are satisfied: (I) ball surface hardness>intermediate layer surface hardness>envelope layer surface hardness<core surface hardness, (II) (Shore D hardness at core surface?Shore D hardness at envelope layer surface)?10, (III) (cover thickness?intermediate layer thickness)>0.05 mm, (IV) (intermediate layer thickness?envelope layer thickness)>0.05 mm, and (V) (Cs?C10)/(C10?Cc)>1.0 (where Cs denotes the JIS-C hardness at the core surface, C10 the JIS-C hardness at a position 10 mm from a center of the core, and Cc the JIS-C hardness at the core center). The ball provides an excellent flight performance when struck by the average golfer, a feel that is both soft and solid, and an excellent durability to repeated impact.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used to form the outer core layer. Preferably, the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the inner core. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.

Abstract: A method for customizing a golf ball, and associated kits, are provided. The method includes steps of heating a golf ball that has a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material making up the cover layer, and then cooling the golf ball at a preselected rate so as to change the degree of crystallinity. The change in degree of crystallinity allows the golf ball to achieve different play characteristics. The change is reversible by repeating the method, and the method may be repeated many times using the same golf ball. Kits used to carry out the method may include a golf ball having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material for the cover layer, a graphical representation of how the cooling relates to the desired play characteristics, a stand for holding the golf ball, a heater, and an additive that aids in heating or cooling the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discrete orientations between the shaft and club head.

Abstract: A golf club head has a main body and a front recess that includes a flange. A rear portion of the main body includes a perimeter-weighting element. A striking face insert is secured within the front recess. A face center is located on the front surface of the striking face insert. A rear cavity is at least partially delimited by the perimeter-weighting element and a rear surface of the striking face insert. A rear insert is secured to the rear surface of the striking face insert. In an imaginary horizontal plane passing through a portion of the rear insert, proximate a heel portion of the club head, a heelwardmost point of the rear insert is spaced further from a vertical center plane than a minimum distance between the flange and the center plane. The club head comprises an auxiliary recess that extends outward from the rear cavity.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body and a plurality of stiffening members is disclosed herein. The body comprises a face section, a sole section, and a crown section, and defines a hollow interior. Each of the plurality of stiffening members extends from the crown section to the sole section to reduce stresses placed on the face section during impact with a golf ball. The stiffening members are all located within 0.500 inch of a rear surface of the face section measured along a plane normal to the center of the face, and within 1 inch of the center of the face section along a horizontal axis parallel to the face section.

Abstract: A head 2 includes a head body h1 and at least one weight . The head body h1 includes a face 10, an upper-side weight-disposal part Wa positioned on an upper side of a center of gravity HG of the head body h1, and a lower-side weight-disposal part Wb positioned on a lower side of the center of gravity HG of the head body h1. At least one of the upper-side weight-disposal part Wa and the lower-side weight-disposal part Wb is configured to change mass distribution in a toe-heel direction. The upper-side weight-disposal part Wa may be constituted of a first weight port WP1 and a second weight port WP2. The lower-side weight-disposal part Wb may be constituted of a third weight port WP3 and a fourth weight port WP4.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and preferably is formed of a metal material co-molded with a polymeric material such as rubber. The channel has an opening with a width that is less than the width of both an inner part of the channel and the weight, such that the weight cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel having one or more slats. The slats may be separated from one another by one or more apertures, cuts, or gaps. The slats may be oriented substantially parallel, substantially transverse, or substantially diagonal to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The slatted arrangement enhances the BBCOR of the barrel. An external damping sleeve or an internal reinforcing core may be included in the barrel to limit the barrel's BBCOR to meet given regulatory standards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stick, such as an ice hockey stick, which comprises a shaft (3) and a blade part (1);(2) and in which the shaft and the blade part (1);(2) are separately manufactured and joinable together, an end (5) of the shaft (3) meant for the joint being tapered and the blade part (1);(2) comprising a socket (4) arranged to receive said shaft (3) end. The socket (4) of the blade part (1);(2) are formable substantially to the heel part of the blade part (1);(2), the structure of the heel part and the socket (4) thus ending at the same level in the direction of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved target for flying disc games, such as disc golf, where the target consists of a pole mounted weight holder, basket, and base where the weight holder, basket, and base components, after disassembly, are reconfigured in such a manner to create a handled container holding the principal target components. The resulting portability facilitates ancillary requirements beyond the principle target function, such as shipping, transporting, storing and stacking, making the device more useful to manufacturer and operator.

Abstract: A baseball swing training device for improving a user's swing speed. The baseball swing training device includes a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein a flexible, elongated strap extends outwardly from the second end thereof. The handle of the baseball swing training device resembles the handle of a traditional baseball bat. In operation, the user can swing the baseball swing training device in the conventional manner, wherein the elongated strap will whip around if the user properly rolls or rotates his or her wrists. Thus, the device helps to encourage players to incorporate wrist rotation into their swing in order to cause the baseball swing training device to have a whipping motion.

Abstract: A playing method for a screen baseball system includes (a) registering a personal rank, (b) transmitting pitching information section, (c) displaying a pitching motion on a screen if a batter at an offense side presses a pitching pedal, and starting a pitching action according to the selected pitch type, (d) detecting a batting action of the batter and transmitting batting detection data to the game management unit, (e) receiving the batting detection data, converting the batting detection data into a trajectory of a batted ball, performing a simulation along the trajectory of the batted ball, and displaying an image on the screen, (f) photographing a batting image of the batter and transmitting the batting image to the game management unit, (g) receiving and transmitting batting image data and the displayed simulation information, and (h) storing the batting image and game information data.

Abstract: A process for controlling a tool includes the following steps, which are not necessarily in order. First, providing a grip device with a grip block smoothly joined to a band. Then, arranging a top side of the grip block proximate the tool and a bottom side of the grip block that is distant the tool. The band is configured to permit human fingers to be adjacent to the grip block.

Abstract: A basketball performance monitoring system sensor comprising a sensor housing coupled to a basketball goal proximate a net. The housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The housing includes an arm proximate the second end and is configured extendable inside the net. A U-shaped appendage is located between the first end and the second end. The U-shaped appendage is configured to couple to the net; wherein the sensor is configured to sense a ball impact vibration and/or an angular orientation responsive to a basketball passing over the arm.

Abstract: An inflatable exercise chamber (100) for performing exercise therein, the inflatable exercise chamber comprising (100); one or more walls (102) defining an enclosed space, wherein the wall (102) comprises an inner membrane (110, 210) and an outer membrane (112) defining an inflatable cavity (114) therebetween, wherein the inner membrane (110) of the wall is a gas-permeable membrane (210).

Abstract: The method makes it possible to perform the measurement of at least one crossing time of a moving object on a line of passage via a personalized transponder placed on the object. The method includes the steps of: generating a low frequency electromagnetic field signal, activating the transponder module on reception of the modulated synchronization command in the electromagnetic field signal, measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic field signal without modulation captured by the activated transponder module at regular time intervals, transmitting directly in a measurement signal via the transponder module each intensity measurement or a packet of intensity measurements to the decoder unit for determination of a crossing time of the line of passage.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the device, a controller configured to acquire acceleration data of the device in a first time period and a second time period adjacent to the first time period from the accelerometer, determine a first movement state of a user in the first time period based on the acceleration data corresponding to the first time period, and determine a second movement state of the user in the second time period in consideration of the acceleration data corresponding to the second time period and the determined first movement state, and a display configured to display the first movement state and the second movement state.

Abstract: This patent describes devices and methods to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of protective equipment in providing protection to players of contact sports, and to determine if a given protective product (pad) is compliant with a specified performance standard. To simulate the impacts experienced by these players, a pad-protected specially modified and instrumented manikin is impacted with solid loads of various weights at various speeds. The impacts are designed to model the impact forces and impact times encountered in typical game collisions. For each impact, measurements are made of the force exerted onto the pad, and the parts of this force that are transmitted through the pad onto various locations on the manikin, as a function of time.

Abstract: A protective guard for a body part is disclosed herein. The protective guard includes a base, a first shell, and a second shell. The base includes an upper region, a lower region, and a middle region, where the middle region enables the upper region and lower region to move with respect to one another. The first shell may be disposed on the upper region, while the second shell may be disposed on the lower region. The first shell may be anatomically shaped to a body part of a person, such as a shin or an upper portion of the arm. The second shell may be anatomically shaped to a different body part, such as an ankle or an elbow. The first shell may have at least two areas, where the first area be more flexible than the second area.

Abstract: A wheeled ski is disclosed that may include a flexible member. The wheeled ski may also include a first wheel assembly that includes a first wheel with a first-wheel first rotational axis and a first-wheel second rotational axis. The first-wheel first rotational axis and the second-wheel second rotational axis may intersect. The wheeled ski may also include a second wheel assembly that includes a second wheel with a second-wheel first rotational axis and a second-wheel second rotational axis. The second-wheel first rotational axis and the second-wheel second rotational axis may intersect. The first wheel assembly may further include a first axle coupled with the flexible member and a first rod that extends through the first axle. The second wheel assembly may further include a second axle coupled with the flexible member and a second rod that extends through the second axle.

Abstract: An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.

Abstract: A game of strategy includes a game board, pieces which are movable on the board after placement, and pieces which are not movable during a game once placed on the board. The identity of some pieces is hidden from some players, and may be revealed temporarily and then hidden again.

Abstract: A puzzle comprising at least four blocks, each block having at least four sides, the at least four sides of each block having at least two different colors, for example red, blue and yellow, at least one side of each block each having at least one feature thereon, for example a shape, a flag/emblem and a mode of transport, such as a car, a boat and a helicopter.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for simulating an outcome of a game, the device including a die having a plurality of faces, each face of the die being associated with an index value, a first wheel having a surface for rolling of the die, and a randomization mechanism coupled to the wheel and configured to cause a randomized motion of the wheel and die for a period of time to generate an outcome of game play, the outcome of game play being defined at least in part based on the index value of an exposed face of the plurality of faces of the die after the completion of the randomized motion.

Abstract: A game system is disclosed that enables users to play a multi-user game on their respective user devices while viewing a projection view on a separate screen, such as a movie theater screen. The projection view may be generated by a game control system by running game client that controls a special character in the game. The special character acts as a camera, generating a view that can be used as, or included in, the projection view. The game control system may control the position of the special character in a game world to generate views of selected game events.

Abstract: A system and associated methods are provided for displaying aspects of one or more multiplayer games on one or more mobile devices. Players may interact with the games via mobile devices. The system may select views of games so that gameplay is only feasible for individuals physically located at the venue with a particular display device.

Abstract: A game system is disclosed that enables users to play games on their respective devices while viewing associated information on a separate screen, such as that of a movie theater. One of the methods includes maintaining, by a system running a game server associated with an electronic game, communications with one or more user devices each running a game client associated with the electronic game. The communications include client game information from each user device that identifies user interactions with the respective game client. Display data that includes a projection view to be provided for presentation on a display, separate from the user devices, is generated to be viewed by the users of the user devices. The display data is generated by a camera game client, controlled by the system, from a location in a game world of the electronic game. The projection view is presented on the display.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an accessory having a plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, a plurality of light sources, wherein each light source emits a controllable spectrum of light through a corresponding one of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and a controller coupled to the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and the plurality of light sources. The controller can be operable to detect tactile contact of each of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, receive status information associated with a video game, and adjust the spectrum of light emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources according to the status information to indicate one or more aspects of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An object control section according to one embodiment moves a player object in a virtual space according to an operation performed by a user. When the player object has reached a predetermined position in the virtual space by the operation performed by the user, the object control section issues a read instruction to a communication control section. The communication control section transmits radio wave to a storage medium when receiving the read instruction. When the radio wave is received, electromotive force is generated in the storage medium, and information stored in the storage medium is read by an information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A system for using multiple electronic control and tracking devices for mixed-reality interaction, comprising an electronic control device that communicates with a plurality of electronic devices via a network, that receives user interaction and conveys it to devices via the network, and that receives interaction from other devices via the network and conveys it to a host device, and a method for nested communication between multiple electronic control devices and electronic systems.

Abstract: Methods for managing mini-games created and executed in a game cloud system are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of mini-games stored in the game cloud system. Each mini-game is created based on a video recording of a game play for a game title, and is shared in a social network. The method further includes identifying user interactions for each mini-game and ranking the mini-games based on the identified user interactions associated with each mini-game. Then, some or all of the mini-games are displayed on a game site and/or a social network site in an order that is based on the ranking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for programmatically generating anamorphic images for presentation in a physical gaming suite (e.g., anamorphic images that are viewable without requiring any external wearable device) are disclosed herein. An example method includes: monitoring, using data received from one or more sensors, viewing characteristics associated with one or more game participants in the physical gaming suite. The method also includes: determining a viewpoint that is based on at least some of the monitored viewing characteristics. The method further includes: based on the viewpoint, generating a anamorphic image for presentation within the physical gaming suite. The method additional includes: providing, to the one or more display devices, data to present the anamorphic image within the physical gaming suite (e.g., near at least one physical object that is included within the physical gaming suite).

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for playing an image guessing game between one or more players. Images are displayed as increasingly larger portions of a complete image until a player guesses the image or the full image is displayed. The system may comprise a plurality of computerized devices that communicates electronically over a wide area network such as the internet.

Abstract: A terminal performs a process that places a plurality of objects and a special object that affects the progress of a game in a placement area, selection of an object among the plurality of objects being received based on input information input by the player, a process that generates the special effect of the special object, and a process that sets a game medium that has been selected based on the input information input by the player to a deck prior to start of the game. The terminal performs a process that reduces the special effect based on information about the game medium set to the deck.

Abstract: A game program product may include, but is not limited to: a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a computer program stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program is, when executed by a computer of a game system, to cause the computer to at least: display at least: 1) a reference indicator at a position over a display screen; and 2) a moving object which moves toward the reference indicator on the display screen; change a position of a reference indicator displayed at a position over the display screen; receive an input of a user's operation; and determine success or failure of the user's operation, based at least in part on: a timing of receiving the input of the user's operation, and a timing that the moving object reaches the reference indicator.

Abstract: An example system and method is provided for detecting a moment of impact and/or strength of a swing based on moving a hand-held device including an accelerometer arrangement. A moment and a magnitude of simulated striking of the object are determined based on one or more accelerometer arrangement outputs resulting from the moving of the hand-held device. Using one or more of aural, visual and tactile outputs, the striking of the object is simulated in accordance with the determined moment of simulated striking and the determined magnitude of the simulated striking.

Abstract: A method of designing multiple computer games, using a software module running on a processor, in which the module enables pre-defined kinds of game design functions to be implemented across multiple different computer games; and in which the module implements multiple pre-defined kinds of common game design functions; and is extensible in that new components can be added to the module to create new functionality.

Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.