Patents Issued in November 15, 2016
  • Patent number: 9492709
    Abstract: This gait analysis apparatus comprises three, and preferably four, vertical force sensors disposed between a treadmill and the ground. When a person walks on the treadmill belt, each force sensor emits an electronic signal proportional to the load on the frame. The sensors measure the load hundreds of times per second and that data, in combination with the speed of the treadmill belt, enables a processing unit to calculate many gait parameters. The resultant calculations are displayed to the clinician in numeric and graphical formats. Due largely to the few number of force sensors, the apparatus is relatively inexpensive compared to existing gait parameter apparatuses and can be easily retrofitted to existing treadmills by either replacing the treadmill's existing ground supports with force sensors or resting the treadmill on top of a frame that has integral force sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mobility Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Dilli, Mohammed Ehsan, Amir Seif, Ryan Bellman
  • Patent number: 9492710
    Abstract: An exercise assistance apparatus including a u shaped module comprised of a plurality sides of varying widths, heights and lengths. The module is adapted and configured to receive and support the head, shoulders and cervical spine of an individual. The module includes a base connected to the plurality of sides. The apparatus may include a plurality of sides of equal widths, heights and lengths. The plurality of sides may be separate pieces or interconnected. The module may also include a plurality of component pieces. The plurality of sides may be adjustable in width, height and length. The module may be made of plastic, foam, wood or metal. The module can be stacked vertically to achieve a desired height. The module may have an interior that is hollow or filled with water or sand. The sides of the module may have rounded lateral edges. The base of the module may include pads for non-skidding. The apparatus may come in a variety of sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Franson, Paul Marston
  • Patent number: 9492711
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, harness, and a container. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the use from impact and/or provide flotation during an avalanche. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The harness may be a backpack that enables a user to transport the system while engaging in activities that may be exposed to avalanche risk. The container is releasably coupled to the harness including a coupled and a separate state. The container independently includes a container chamber that is selectively enclosable by a container opening. The releasable coupling between the container and the harness may include a periphery zipper type coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, Pete Gompert, David Kuhlman Blackwell, Derick J Noffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Robert John Horacek
  • Patent number: 9492712
    Abstract: A swimming paddle with an upper rounded swimcap-shaped edge terminating in side indentations that define cap-securing temples, and a central goggle-securing notch cooperating with a concave region in the lower edge to store goggles vertically on the paddle. The paddle may further include fingerpad-indexing holes extending through the body of the paddle from the inner face to the outer face, the holes sized to allow only the fingerpads of a swimmer's extended fingers to partially protrude from the inner face. A method for custom fitting a swimming paddle to a particular swimmer's hand includes generating a side-by-side image of the swimmer's hand and a commonly-carried object such as a mobile phone in a common plane. The image is compared to stored dimensional data for the object to remotely determine the dimensions of the swimmer's hand and manufacture a custom paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Justin Pearson Smith
  • Patent number: 9492713
    Abstract: A swimming assembly includes a plurality of fins worn on an associated one of legs of an animal when the animal swims. Each of the fins comprises a plate that is positioned against one of the animal's legs. A strap is attached to the plate to retain the plate on the animal's leg when the animal swims. A pair of wings is provided and each of the wings is movably coupled to the plate. Each of the wings is positioned in a deployed position to capture water when the animal urges the animal's leg rearwardly in the water thereby increasing the animal's ability to swim. Each of the wings is positioned in a stored position having each of the wings is positioned proximate the strap. Each of the wings is urged into the stored position when the animal urges the animal's leg forwardly in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: William Chavez
  • Patent number: 9492714
    Abstract: A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Patent number: 9492715
    Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core layer, an outer core layer essentially enclosing the inner core layer, an inner cover layer essentially enclosing the outer core layer, and an outer cover layer essentially enclosing the inner cover layer. The golf ball includes a blend of at least first and second highly neutralized acid polymers, each having a Vicat softening temperature and a specific gravity. The absolute value of the difference between the Vicat softening temperatures is no more than about 15° C. and the absolute value of the difference between the specific gravities is no more than about 0.015. Also, the method of making the blend and the golf ball is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Hsin Cheng, Chien-Hsin Chou, Yasushi Ichikawa, Chen-Tai Liu, Arthur Molinari
  • Patent number: 9492716
    Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
  • Patent number: 9492717
    Abstract: Golf balls having a solid multi-layered core and a cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition, an intermediate core layer, and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the intermediate and outer cores. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the intermediate core, which is less than the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 9492718
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motorized golf ball cleaning device which comprises: a lower housing with a cavity for holding a liquid; an upper housing which contains electrical components, control components, and cleaning brushes; means to connect the upper housing to the lower housing; a feeder capable of holding a golf ball and feeding it into the liquid; a stand which is connected to the bottom of the lower housing; and means for powering the cleaning brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Markus Grötsch
  • Patent number: 9492719
    Abstract: Golf club heads include a golf club head body, a ball striking face, and a shaft engaging member configured to engage a golf club shaft with the golf club head body. Further, the shaft engaging member may be configured to engage the golf club head body and the shaft below a center of gravity of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Chewei Tai
  • Patent number: 9492720
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center, a bottom portion, a top portion including an exterior surface, a hosel including an imaginary vertical hosel plane, a forwardmost point, and a rearwardmost point. In an imaginary vertical plane perpendicular to the hosel plane and passing through the face center, the exterior surface includes a path having a first point and a second point rearward of the first point. An imaginary infinite straight line passes through the first point and the second point, but does not penetrate the exterior surface. A segment of the imaginary straight line is delimited by the first point and the second point. A maximum distance between the segment and the exterior surface of the top portion is no greater than 0.70 mm and a distance between the first point and the second point is no less than 22 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jimmy H. Kuan, Samuel G. Lacey, Dan S. Nivanh, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 9492721
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with aerodynamic features and related methods are described herein. Various embodiments of the golf club heads with aerodynamic features and related methods include a golf club head comprising a body. In many embodiments, the body comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, a trailing edge between the sole and the crown, a back opposite the strikeface, and one or more cavities located at least at one of: the back and in the sole adjacent to the trailing edge; or the back and in the trailing edge. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Sina Ghods, Xiaojian Chen, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 9492722
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a club body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, and a face portion. In some embodiments, the face portion has an ideal striking location and at least one channel defined in the face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has a striking face and at least one channel defined in the striking face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has an ideal striking location and at least one non-ideal striking location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Taylor, Peter L. Larsen, Bret H. Wahl, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Patent number: 9492723
    Abstract: A lacrosse stick is provided that includes a lacrosse head providing a frame for holding a ball. A V-Shaped pocket is coupled to the lacrosse head that defines a pocket region for holding the ball. The V-Shaped pocket includes a mesh structure having an inelastic knitting pattern and consistent mesh diamond length creating a stable pocket channel and depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: STRING KING LACROSSE LLC
    Inventor: Jake McCampbell
  • Patent number: 9492724
    Abstract: A player training apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: receive input pertaining to motion of the football; determine a target accuracy based upon the input; and display the determined target accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, Kevin L. Krysiak, David J. Proeber, Bradley L. Gaff
  • Patent number: 9492725
    Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein relate to designs of climbing surfaces, fall safety pads and/or accessories related thereto. According to some embodiments, different impact zones of a fall safety pad can have different cushioning attributes. The different cushioning attributes of the different impact zones of the safety pad can be based on a vertical distance to a directly overlying portion of the climbing surface. The different cushioning attributes of the different impact zones of the safety pad can also consider a predicted or measured frequency of falling from a portion of the climbing surface directly overlying each impact zone of the safety pad. Other intended climber attributes, enjoyment, and safety concerns can be considered in the design of the climbing surface(s), safety pad(s), and accessories disclosed. Further, wear, replicability, customizations of enjoyment, and updates to safety concerns in the climbing sport are further understood in view of this disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: PLATYPUS IP, LLC
    Inventor: David Allan Jones
  • Patent number: 9492726
    Abstract: An apparatus and device are provided for a self-propelled roping training system. The apparatus includes an endless track comprising a plurality of corner sections, each of the plurality of corner sections comprising an arc length, a carriage assembly comprising a front slider assembly coupled with the track and a rear slider assembly coupled with the track, and a self-propelled vehicle coupled with the carriage assembly configured to follow a path defined by the endless track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Dorian A. Bundy, Travis D. Kunz
  • Patent number: 9492727
    Abstract: A tee-ball apparatus having two foot pads which can be adjusted for each batter is disclosed. Once adjusted, the foot pads are not displaced by normal batter actions but can be quickly readjusted for other batters when needed. The tee-ball apparatus can be used with either leftie or rightie batters. The post may be displaced by an errant swing and returned to its normal upright position. The post may also be removable from the rest of the apparatus to allow the batter to practice swinging at pitches while still utilizing the foot pads to maintain proper stance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Aaron Brossman
  • Patent number: 9492728
    Abstract: A golf swing training device and method that provides audio feedback during practice swings for club head speed, orientation and release. The audible golf swing training device comprises: a whistle having an air inlet on the front end and an air outlet on the top; an air funnel affixed or integral to the front end to direct air into the air inlet; an air throttle means affixed over or between the air funnel and the air inlet to adjust the amount of air received by the whistle through the air funnel; and a connecting means affixed or integral to the base of the whistle for removably affixing the training device to a golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Monroe
  • Patent number: 9492729
    Abstract: A golf game system is provided, including at least one ball, at least one club and at least one hole area. The club has a striking sensor for sensing a striking action of the club on the ball, and a score display for displaying a score related to the striking action. The hole area has a tee for placing the ball and a hole for receiving the ball, wherein the hole has a ball-in-the-hole sensor for communicating with the club. Scores are automatically printed for players at game conclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas P. Foley
  • Patent number: 9492730
    Abstract: A snowboard boot and binding system is disclosed which facilitates the engagement and disengagement of a snowboard boot and binding. The snowboard boot may include a boot engagement member extending from a rear of the boot. The boot engagement member is moved downwardly into a corresponding binding engagement member to provide an arrangement which prevents forward movement of the boot. The boot engagement member also may include one or more serrations to engage with one or more pawls on the binding to prevent upward movement of the boot. A snap-in arrangement may be provided in a boot toe region. The boot has protrusions extending outwardly from each side of the boot to engage with catches on the binding sidewalls. As the boot is pressed downwardly into the binding, the protrusions splay the catches until reaching recesses, at which point the catches rebound to capture the protrusions against upward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Robert Kavarsky, Jr., Christopher M. Doyle, Scott T. Keller
  • Patent number: 9492731
    Abstract: Improved skateboards and methods of obtaining or providing skateboards with improved trucks. Trucks have two axles or axes, two primary wheels, and two secondary wheels, and skateboards have eight wheels, four in front and four at the rear portion of the skateboard. The four primary wheels support most or all of the weight of the skateboard when the skateboard is on a flat surface, and the two secondary wheels support the weight of one portion of the skateboard (e.g., front or rear) when the primary wheels cross a crack (e.g., a sidewalk contraction joint). In various embodiments, the secondary wheels are located outboard of the primary wheels. Further, in a number of embodiments, the axis of rotation or axle of the primary wheels remains parallel to that of the secondary wheels, whether the skateboard is going straight or turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Marusiak, John A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 9492732
    Abstract: A wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation includes a shoe configured to at least partially accept a foot of a user of the wearable device, the shoe comprising a foot interface surface configured for selective contact with a bottom of the foot, a wheel assembly configured to selectively roll relative to a ground surface in response to rotation of at least a portion of the wheel assembly about an axle that is substantially coincident with an axis of rotation, and a frame connected between the shoe and the wheel assembly, the frame being configured to selectively transfer forces between the shoe and the wheel assembly and the frame comprising a clearance plane vertically offset from the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Roger R. Adams
  • Patent number: 9492733
    Abstract: An educational device comprising a game board demarcated with a plurality of positions, each position having associated with it and actuator, actuation of which causes the communication device to provide instruction to the player as to what the player is supposed to do. A player can activate a random number generator to determine how many positions to move. Once instruction has been received, the player utilizes game pieces on the game board to execute the instruction. By going through this process, any player can learn a particular skill or gain particular knowledge that can be applied in life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce Ward
  • Patent number: 9492734
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to multi-dimensional puzzles for teaching, entertainment, and construction. One embodiment of the invention comprises two forms, one planar and one non-planar, which comprise a plurality of protrusions and recesses. These forms may be assembled by selectively interconnecting the various protrusions and recesses to create multi-dimensional shapes such as a cube, cylinder, and sphere among many other possibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Boulding Blocks LLC
    Inventor: Mark Boulding
  • Patent number: 9492735
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to gaming based on the results at intervals of a race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 9492736
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which allow a player, the gaming device, and/or the gaming system to utilize domino symbols and/or domino gaming structures. The electronic gaming device may include a plurality of reels, a memory, and a processor. The plurality of reels may include one or more areas. The processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas. The one or more symbols may include one or more domino symbols. The processor may determine a payout based on a domino game structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald James Rollo, III
  • Patent number: 9492737
    Abstract: A game system may provide a plurality of cards, at least one token and a token storage and distribution system. The plurality of cards may each have at least one indicium representing a value. The token(s) may have a value that is substitutable for at least a portion of the value associated with the card. The token storage and distribution system comprises a slot for depositing the token(s) into the token storage and distribution system. The slot corresponds to a storage compartment that further comprises sub-compartments and a diverter to direct the deposited token into one of the sub-compartments. The token storage and distribution system defines one of more locations for positioning one or more build piles for the cards being played. The player may select to access one of the sub-compartments according to a rule set and acquire the token(s) present, if any, in the selected sub-compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Yu, Jeffrey W. Bazarko
  • Patent number: 9492738
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU sets a weapon to be transmittable according to an instruction by a player. More specifically, a seed is generated from a weapon, and transmittable seed data corresponding to the generated seed is stored in a memory for saved data. When a game apparatus is carried in a sleep state by a player, it makes a communication with another game apparatus to thereby transmit and receive the transmittable seed data with the other game apparatus. Accordingly, the transmittable and receivable seed data, that is, the seeds are exchanged. During the game, the received two seeds are fused to thereby generate a weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakurai, Yoshiyasu Okawara, Yoichi Hirakawa, Michiko Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9492739
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a virtual world processing apparatus. The virtual world processing apparatus includes a gas sensor unit and an engine. The gas sensor unit obtains scent information in the real world. The engine receives information about the capabilities of the gas sensor unit from the gas sensor unit, and transmits the scent information obtained by the sensor unit to a virtual world or the real world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Joo, Hae-Ryong Lee, Hyung-Gi Byun, Jeong-Do Kim
  • Patent number: 9492740
    Abstract: Video game characters of a video game may have associated attributes, such as their equipment, modified using a device which may be both remote from a device used to play the video game and incapable of playing the video game. A server in communication with both devices may communicate video game character information to the device remote from the game play device, check validity of modifications to video game character equipment requested by the remote device, save information of the modifications, and provide the information of the modifications to the device used to play the video game. The device used to play the video game may allow for acceptance, and use thereafter, of the equipment modifications during game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah Heller, Jennifer Puno
  • Patent number: 9492741
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern establishing, maintaining, managing, or terminating communications between an access point and a client in a wireless network used by a shared, wireless gaming system. An example apparatus may include a first logic configured to control timing for the protocol and a second logic configured to control message exchange for the protocol. Controlling timing and message exchange facilitates reducing contention in the wireless gaming environment. Contention may lead to latency. A user gaming experience may depend on reducing latency. Therefore, reducing latency may produce an improved gaming experience. Controlling timing and message exchange also facilitates reducing power consumption by clients (e.g., accessories, controllers), which in turn facilitates improving battery life for clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Russo, Ranveer Chandra, Hang Yu
  • Patent number: 9492742
    Abstract: On the basis of data based on an attitude and/or a motion of a portable display apparatus body, at least a direction of rotation and an amount of rotation of the portable display apparatus about a predetermined direction in real space are calculated, and a corrected amount of rotation is calculated by offsetting the calculated amount of rotation by a predetermined amount. Then, an operation indication direction based on the direction of rotation and the corrected amount of rotation is calculated with respect to a direction that corresponds to the predetermined direction and is set in a virtual world, and predetermined processing is performed on the virtual world. A first image including at least a part of the virtual world is displayed on the portable display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yugo Hayashi, Kazuya Sumaki, Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9492743
    Abstract: On the basis of data based on an attitude and/or a motion of a portable display apparatus body, at least a direction of rotation and an amount of rotation of the portable display apparatus about a predetermined direction in real space are calculated, and a corrected amount of rotation is calculated by correcting the calculated amount of rotation by a predetermined factor. Then, an operation indication direction based on the direction of rotation and the corrected amount of rotation is calculated with respect to a direction that corresponds to the predetermined direction and is set in a virtual world, and predetermined processing is performed on the virtual world. A first image including at least a part of the virtual world is displayed on the portable display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yugo Hayashi, Kazuya Sumaki, Keizo Ohta, Jun Ito
  • Patent number: 9492744
    Abstract: An improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller (1). Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise the same controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) as a conventional controller (1). The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises four additional controls (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) located on the rear of the controller (10) in a position to be operated by the middle fingers of a user (12). The additional controllers (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) may be paddle levers and may replicate the functions of one or more of the controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) located on the front or top of the controller (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 9492745
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor to detect a gaming accessory stimulation associated with a programmable layer of a number of programmable layers. The processor identifies a substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers of the gaming accessory. The substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer is associated with the gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers, according to a user profile of a number of user profiles associated with a user account. Other predetermined associations of stimulations of the gaming accessory with other substitute accessory stimulations are recorded in other user profiles of the number of user profiles, and the substitute gaming accessory stimulation is provided to a computing device to manage a gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: STEELSERIES APS
    Inventors: Jacob Wolff-Petersen, Tino Soelberg
  • Patent number: 9492746
    Abstract: Reference coordinates are set for controlling a game based on coordinate information which is outputted when a state that no coordinate information is outputted from a pointing device is shifted to a state that coordinate information is outputted, and designated coordinates are set based on the coordinate information and the game is controlled based on at least one of an input direction which is a direction from the reference coordinates to the designated coordinates and an input distance which is a distance between the reference coordinates and the designated coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9492747
    Abstract: Correspondence data representing correspondence between a plurality of selection target objects and the attitude of an input device is stored in an information processing apparatus. In accordance with attitude/motion data acquired from the input device, the attitude of the input device is calculated. In accordance with the correspondence data, a selection target object corresponding to the attitude of the input device is selected thereby to perform a process based on the selection target object having been selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, Ryo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9492748
    Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a depth sensor configured to capture an area where a player exists and acquire depth information for each pixel of the image; and a gesture recognition unit configured to divide the image into a plurality of sections, to calculate statistics information of the depth information for each of the plurality of sections, and to recognize a gesture of the player based on the statistics information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SEGA
    Inventor: Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9492749
    Abstract: Provided is a game program capable of chronologically automatically analyzing the degree of excitement in a game played by a user in order to present where during game-play that the excitement is occurring. The invention causes a computer to function as: operation data acquisition means (300) for acquiring operation data (200); computation means (120) which, on the basis of data including time elapse in a game and the operation data (200), performs computation related to progress of the game at regular time intervals in order to generate game status data (210) describing the state of the game-space and objects within the game-space at each point in time; and heat-up point analysis means (310) which, on the basis of the game status data (210), calculates heat-up points (230) which are degrees of excitement during the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taisaku Okada
  • Patent number: 9492750
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of site-specific background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. As to housing, camera, processor, output devices, control boards, cables, currency machine; see Pat. No. 6,507, 361. In one embodiment the camera can move to take the images from different angles and in an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Pamela Leslie Barber
  • Patent number: 9492751
    Abstract: Method, article and apparatus for executing computer games, and in particular, computer-based platform games. In a platform game, a user may interact directly with and articulate pop-up book elements to modify the game level. The modified game level may be navigable by a game character also controlled by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neill Glancy, Michael Hadwin
  • Patent number: 9492752
    Abstract: In an online game for providing special characters, a skill for providing special characters having capability points that cannot be generally acquired in the game and allowing the user to acquire the special characters according to a predetermined probability to increase scarcity values of the special characters, and increasing other users' interests in the user owning the special characters to increase a positive image on the game by the users and also increase interest in the game, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun Cho Jung
  • Patent number: 9492753
    Abstract: A game control device includes an accepter configured to accept an access request including user-specific user identification information from at least one communication terminal; a detector configured to detect accesses from a plurality of communication terminals that are associated with identical user identification information, the plurality of communication terminals including a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal; a game executer configured to execute a game for a user of user identification information after access from any one of the plurality of communication terminals based on user identification information; and a game controller configured to transmit game data of the game being executed to the second communication terminal in response to an operational input to the first communication terminal, after the detector detects the accesses from the plurality of communication terminals that are associated with the identical user identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9492754
    Abstract: A CPU of a game device has a weekly calendar screen displayed. In this calendar screen, dates in one week are displayed separately. In the calendar screen, a content display field is provided, in which a thumbnail image or the like of a content brought in correspondence with each day is displayed. A time and day of start of availability and a time and day of end of availability are determined for each content such as a motion picture, and downloading of the content by a user is permitted during a period from the time and day of start of availability to the time and day of end of availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Beppu, Kiyoshi Mizuki
  • Patent number: 9492755
    Abstract: A method for guiding gameplay of players participating in a computer-implemented virtual game is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining a population contingency, identifying a reference distribution parameter in connection with the population contingency, and using at least one processor to construct a linking function based on a comparison between a player action and the reference distribution parameter. The method further includes the steps of storing game data in a data storage system, wherein the game data includes at least one or more of the population contingency, the reference distribution parameter, and the linking function, and facilitating the exchange of game data between an individual player and the data storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Jeff A. Beeler
  • Patent number: 9492756
    Abstract: A system and method for improving musical education through use of a game, is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving electrical signals associated with a musical piece provided by a user of the game; converting the electrical signals into digital samples; and analyzing the digital samples with use of auxiliary information, for purposes of improving signal analysis accuracy, resulting in determining various parameters of the musical piece provided by the user, wherein the auxiliary information is a-priori data related to at least one element selected from the group consisting of a musical instrument being played, a technical environment, the game, and information regarding the user of the game. Visual and/or audio feedback may also be provided to the user regarding the musical piece that they are providing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Joytunes Ltd.
    Inventors: Roey Izkovsky, Yuval Kaminka, Yigal Kaminka
  • Patent number: 9492757
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating the development and provision of enhanced video of game playback, including the ability to augment a video of game playback with information relating to the game state of the game. A video may be generated based on game state information associated with one or more selected portions of the game. The video may include visual features that may not have been present in corresponding views that were presented to the user during game play of those one or more portions of the game. The user may augment the video with displayed information based on game logic for the online game. For example, displayed information may include commentary, tips on how the user could have maximized his game play, influential plays from the one or more portions of the game, and/or other information based on the game logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9492758
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gesture capture hardware to visually receive position and/or gestures and translate visual signals to actuates of a water play feature in a water play structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Skyturtle Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Lance C. Fisher