Abstract: An iron-type golf club head having a club face provide with a plurality of grooves extending in the toe-heel direction, satisfies the following conditions (1) the loft angle of the club head is not more than 41 degrees, (2) the thickness of the club head is not more than 23 mm, (3) the height of the club face measured along the club face at the position of the most toe-side end of the grooves is not less than 53 mm, (4) in a standard state of the club head set on a horizontal plane at the lie angle and loft angle specified for the club head, the ratio M/Sh (g sq·cm/mm) of a moment M of inertia (g sq·cm) around a first axis passing through a sweet spot in parallel with the club face and perpendicularly to the grooves, and a sweet spot height Sh (mm) which is the vertical height from the horizontal plane to the sweet spot is not less than 152.

Abstract: Golf clubs having improved features and a golf swing training device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the golf club has a club head made of at least one material having a first specific gravity, and at least one weighting portion that has a higher specific gravity than the first specific gravity of the material forming the main body of the club head. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type, and the club head has a sole that is provided with “bounce” thereon. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type that has a configuration that provides it with improved ability to cut through the “rough” on the golf course. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head having a club face with at least one portion thereof that has a thickness that is modified to account for a groove in the striking surface of the club face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wood type golf club head including a face portion, a crown portion, and a sole portion. The method includes a setting step of setting a surface roughness of the face portion and a step of forming the face portion based on the surface roughness set in the setting step. In the setting step, the larger a moment of inertia of the golf club head is, the larger the surface roughness outside an impact area of the face portion is set, and the smaller the moment of inertia is, the smaller the surface roughness outside the impact area of the face portion is set.

Abstract: The golf club set according to the present invention is a golf club set constituted by a plurality of numbered golf clubs with different loft angles. In each of the golf, a crown portion has a main body portion that connects to the sole portion and a raised portion that rises to form a step from the main body portion and extends in a toe-heel direction along a boundary with the face portion. In at least one pair of a lower numbered golf club and a higher numbered golf club, among the plurality of golf clubs included in the golf club set, a length of the step in a face-back direction along a perpendicular plane that passes through a sweet spot and a center of gravity of the golf club head is longer in the lower numbered golf club than in the higher numbered golf club.

Abstract: Provided is a golf club head that includes a face portion for hitting a ball. The face portion has a thick portion that includes a face center, and a peripheral portion that is thinner than the thick portion and surrounds the thick portion. The thick portion extends along a central axis line, and has a recessed portion on at least one side of the central axis line so that a central region of the thick portion along the central axis line is recessed more toward the central axis line than parts of the thick portion on two sides of the central region along the central axis line. Note that the central axis line extends in a top-sole direction or in a direction inclined from a toe side toward a heel side along a direction from a sole side toward a top side.

Abstract: Provided is a golf club head in which the lateral moment of inertia can be increased through thickness adjustment of the sole portion. The golf club head according to the present invention includes a crown portion, a sole portion and a face portion. The sole portion includes a first thin-walled portion and a first thick-walled portion that extends from the toe side of the first thin-walled portion to the heel side of the first thin-walled portion via the back side, so as to surround the first thin-walled portion, and is thicker than the first thin-walled portion.

Abstract: Provided is a golf club head in which the restitution performance of a lower part of the face portion can be improved. The golf club head of the invention includes a head body having a crown portion, a sole portion and an opening surrounded by the crown portion and the sole portion, and a face member closing the opening of the head body. The face member is formed in a cup shape having a tabular face portion for hitting the ball and a peripheral portion extending from a periphery of the face portion and joined to an end surface of the opening. The peripheral portion includes a first peripheral region joined to the crown portion and a second peripheral region joined to the sole portion. The second peripheral region is more than 1.6 times larger in width than the first peripheral region, and has a width larger than 8 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a golf club head having improved mass distribution characteristics. The golf club head includes a body and a face positioned at a forward portion of the body. The golf club head also includes one or more mass elements positioned at predetermined locations about the head. The mass elements assist in achieving a desired relationship between the moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis and the moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.

Abstract: A hockey stick assembly has an elongate rubbery damping material installed within a hollow stick shaft. The insert may be formed with one end that has, or may have a cap or socket mounted at one end that has, an indexing member for locating the elongate material within the hollow shaft. The cap or socket or end may include a widened portion, and may include projections or a peripherally extending flange for engaging the butt end. A cap may be placed over the end of the stick once the insert has been installed. The insert may be removable. It may be a high density rubber or rubber-like polymer that may tend not to rattle. The insert may have constant thickness, and be formed to define a plug and stopper at one end. The other end is trimmed to length and slid into a loose fit within the shaft.

Abstract: An improved device and method/system are disclosed for golf swing development and clubfitting based on a previously disclosed underlying gripping structure specimen as created using only the hands or with a golf grip substitute device and underlying swinging structure specimen as created using only the limbs of the body.

Abstract: A head for a ball striking device includes a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first and second ends. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. The first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, e.g., welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or other technique. The location of the bracing member may be determined using a modal analysis to determine a maximum displacement region.

Abstract: An extension net for providing a backstop for a standard or specially modified lacrosse goal. The extension net includes one or more frame portions that are secured to the lacrosse goal and are rotatable so as to vary an angle between an end portion of the extension net and the lacrosse goal. The extension net can be sized so as to mark an outer boundary of a regulation lacrosse crease. A convertible goal that has both lacrosse and hockey goal modes and that can support an extension net in one or both of the modes.

Abstract: A new competitive indoor/outdoor skill game, based on a smaller table-top version. The patio/lawn-sized cup and ball game allows for various modifications and improvements to earlier versions. The game is played on a scale similar to traditional outdoor games, such as horseshoes and washers.

Abstract: A computer implemented personified sporting goal apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide electronically and programmably controlled personification attributes to a sporting or intermediary goal. Certain embodiments include robotic, animatronically moveable appendages, emotions, and/or gestures, via audio, visual, or enhanced features. A personified sporting goal apparatus can include: sporting goal device, including processor(s); memory coupled to the processor; input or output device(s) coupled to the processor; sporting goal; personified feature, attribute, or movement; and user interface coupled to the device, including: a display device, the input device, the output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen, and is configured to: enable a user to interact with the sporting goal device; receive a selection of a sporting goal routine; or receive instructions to control the sporting goal device. Embodiments include a robot, display(s) and/or speech bubbles.

Abstract: A ball, and in particular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such as accelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems and methods using the same to improve a pitcher's pitching performance are described herein. In some embodiments, the ball may include one or more inertial measurement units and/or accelerometers capable of monitoring motion of the ball while it is thrown. Various types of pitches may be selected, and in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s) detecting certain parameters corresponding to a selected pitch, one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more illuminating elements located on the ball may turn a first color in response to detecting parameters corresponding to the selected pitch.

Abstract: A ball, and in particular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such as accelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems and methods using the same to improve a pitcher's pitching performance are described herein. In some embodiments, the ball may include one or more inertial measurement units and/or accelerometers capable of monitoring motion of the ball while it is thrown. Various types of pitches may be selected, and in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s) detecting certain parameters corresponding to a selected pitch, one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more illuminating elements located on the ball may turn a first color in response to detecting parameters corresponding to the selected pitch.

Abstract: An enhanced belay bar, comprising a rigid tube affixed to rigid plates, each comprising a plurality of attachment surface and attachment points to affix the belay device to a surface, and a plurality of attachment points to affix an automatic belay device to the enhanced belay bar.

Abstract: A golf aiming and address assisting device and a golf address method. The device includes a body attached to a golfer's body; a CPU installed in the body to calculate, compare and process input information; a motion sensor connected to the CPU and including a 3-axis gyroscope sensor and a 3-axis accelerator sensor to measure a current forward orientation value of the golfer, a speaker connected to the CPU to output a sound outwardly from the body; a main button installed to the body to set a target orientation value by a pressing operation of a user; and a battery installed in the body to supply a power to each component.

Abstract: A support member is connected to an exercise device, and extends upward from the connection point to a point above the exercise device. A kill switch is attached to the upper end of the support member. One or more connectors extend downward from the kill switch, and attaches to a body harness configured to be secured around a user's torso and/or other body part(s). In the event of a fall, the downward force created by the weight of the user triggers the kill switch, causing the operation of the exercise device to cease immediately. The length of the connector(s) should provide enough slack so that as the user moves, the kill switch is not falsely triggered the user's movement in performing various exercises. Likewise, the length of the connector(s) should be short enough to catch and suspend the user in the air in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A device for obtaining information required for a 3D representation of the topography of an artificial wall including a plurality of holds, wherein it includes at least one sensor for measuring the angular orientation of one of the holds of the artificial wall about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said wall, a marker secured to the hold associated with the sensor and containing information relating to said hold and at least one parameter allowing the latter to be identified, and a signal reader for reading the data contained in the marker.

Abstract: A wearable computing device comprises one or more motion sensors, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The one or more motion sensors are configured to measure swing motion. The first circuit is in communication with the one or more motion sensors and configured to translate measurements of the swing motion to machine-readable motion data and identify from the machine-readable motion data a golf shot in which a golf club held by a golfer contacts a golf ball. The second circuit is configured to increment a golf score of the golfer responsive to the golf shot being identified.

Abstract: A goaltender leg pad providing profile adjustment, toe attachment and/or toe thickness adjustment. The leg pad can include an adjuster element that configures adjacent pads at a user selected angle or configuration to provide a desired front profile of the leg pad. The leg pad can include an optionally elastic toe attachment strap joined with a foot pad and/or boot, and a redirection element slidably engaging the strap. The strap can secure the foot pad to the user's skate, and generally centrally locate the foot pad over the user's skate when the user transitions to a standing position and/or a crouching position. The leg pad can include a foot pad configured to engage the top of a user's skate. The foot pad can define a cavity within which a secondary pad can be selectively installed or removed to alter the toe thickness of the foot pad and provide desired performance.

Abstract: This invention presented herein is a hybrid batting and sliding glove that will reduce the number of hand injuries associated with sliding head first into a base in the sports of baseball and softball. There are three key features. The Tendon Feature gently pulls the hand back keeping the fingers off the ground and into a safer position for sliding. The wrist closure feature keeps the wrist from hyperextending. The figure feature component keeps the fingers together.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus, for use in a system that includes a source of a narrow beam of radiation which extends substantially horizontally along or parallel to a line to be marked, includes a wheeled chassis and a line marking head for dispensing line marking material. The marking head is supported on the chassis for lateral movement relative thereto, which movement is controlled by a controller that includes a detector which is movable with the marking head and is positioned and directed to detect such a beam of radiation, the marking head being movable together with the detector in response to a detected beam. Lateral movement of the marking head is thereby controlled such that the head and the detector substantially follow the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the line direction.

Abstract: Methods of playing a blackjack game and tournament are provided. The methods include providing plurality of playing cards which include at least one wild card. In the event that a player draws the at least one wild card, either a value equal to the primary wager of the drawing player may be awarded, or the wager of another player separate from the drawing player may be forfeited. In the event that a dealer draws the wild card, each of the players are designated a winner and are awarded a value equal to their wager.

Abstract: Methods of playing a blackjack game and tournament are provided. The methods include providing plurality of playing cards which include at least one wild card. In the event that a player draws the at least one wild card, either a value equal to the primary wager of the drawing player may be awarded, or the wager of another player separate from the drawing player may be forfeited. In the event that a dealer draws the wild card, each of the players are designated a winner and are awarded a value equal to their wager.

Abstract: A security system for a casino table card game has a casino table with i) indicia thereon for the placement of wagers, ii) a data entry system with an associated computer, and iii) sensors that can detect the placement of at least one specific category of wager; a shuffling device with a microprocessor integral to the shuffler for providing information regarding cards or hands; a central table gaming computer that receives information from the shuffler in real time, receives information from the sensors, and receives information from the data entry system, the associated computer, the microprocessor and the central table gaming computer communicating data among each other in real time.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and accompanying method for directing the movement of an object on an interactive surface through a defined path. The system includes an object embedded with a unique identification code (UID), a movement module, and a distinct pattern of capacitive tabs near the surface of the object that makes contact with the interactive surface, an interactive surface configured to recognize the UID, location and orientation information of an object placed on the interactive surface, and a processor operatively linked to the interactive surface and configured to direct, track and correct the movement of the object along a defined path on the interactive surface by tracking the UID, location and orientation of the object continuously and throughout the movement.

Abstract: A game system for creating an electromagnetic field includes a plurality of interconnected track pieces, each having at least one conducting coil embedded therein, and which defines a game playing area. A capacitor bank is in electrical communication with at least one of the track pieces. A transmitter circuit is in electrical communication with the capacitor bank and a power source is in electrical communication with the transmitter circuit. The electromagnetic field is transmitted between each of the conducting coils in the plurality of track pieces for energizing a variety of electrical receivers, such as game pieces, placed within the game playing area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus which provides for a modified roulette wheel apparatus and associated wagering games.

Abstract: 3D character dice provide game pieces of a novel game requiring no board and fitting easily in a compact carrying case. The dice can take one of many forms and may have any even number of sides from 4 to 20 and may develop into a collectible set of characters. A boardless game having game-directive cards which are tied to the differing faces of the character die is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for measuring physical activity to advance play in a game. In example embodiments, a cell phone generates a screen display and the game is played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity progresses the player through the game by progressing the player through “game days,” by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. A specified number of steps equates with a game day and a complete game is measured in game days. The device tracks physical activity, related game days, and completion of games. During a game day, a player advances in the game as well as encounters challenges and obstacles and may be prompted to make other decisions related to the game play.

Abstract: A process for playing a game includes purchasing a product with an information tag associated therewith, playing a first game associated with the product, scanning the information tag with a portable electronic device (PED) and interacting with at least one gaming website by playing the first game again online, playing a second game online or collecting winnings from playing at least one of the first game and the second game. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a serving tray and a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item and a sports memorabilia item.

Abstract: A finger pad for a game controller includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes a finger interface. The finger interfaces includes a plurality of planar facets. The planar facets are sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The second side includes a mounting interface.

Abstract: There are provided a capture notification system, a capture notification method, a program, an information storage medium, and an information processing device for allowing a user executing a program to become aware of another user capturing an image indicating content of execution of the program. A capture request receiving section (38) receives a capture request of an image indicating content of execution of a program from a capture requesting user requesting capture of the image. A notifying section (40) notifies a capture object user that the image is to be captured in response to the receipt of the capture request.

Abstract: Organization of a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units is enabled. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. For example, the MMOG can comprise a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relate to an application programming interface (API) software integrated with a software of an electronic game, the API software being configured being stored in non-volatile memory module of a computing device and for being run by a processor of the computing device, the API being configured for causing the computing device to connect to a server configured for hosting a competition and creating a completion on the server. The competition comprises at least one of: a gaming session between two players, a gaming session between more than two players, and a tournament.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for enhancing documents, including using a graphical capture device, are described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for executing multiple video games, or other sources of video, include a cloud game execution environment in which each game application is executed on the same operating system but within a virtual I/O shell. The virtual I/O shell includes virtual video, audio and input channels that allow each game application to operate as if it had dedicated drivers. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention are used to provide video streams to a plurality of clients over the internet.

Abstract: Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, an information storage medium, an information processing system, and a management device for allowing a user to request capture of a desired play image. A request section transmits capture condition data representing a condition for capturing a play image that indicates details of a game in progress. A confirmation process execution section performs a confirmation process for capture of the play image appropriate to the condition represented by the capture condition data.

Abstract: An image processing device and the like are provided which are capable of improving visibility of images in a game and so on with respect to a user. A player object operated by the user and plural objects different from the player object are generated in a three-dimensional virtual space, and an object existing within a given range including the player object in the plural objects is selected as an object to be imaged. A position of a virtual camera is determined so that the player object and the object to be imaged are captured into the two-dimensional image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for simulating a sound in a virtual scenario, and a terminal. The method includes: determining whether a virtual object is in a falling state; detecting, when the virtual object is in the falling state, whether a virtual object collides with another virtual object in a virtual scenario; and invoking sound data when the virtual object collides with the another virtual object, and simulating a sound according to the invoked sound data.

Abstract: In an example method, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed to a user on a display device of a computer system. The GUI includes a first game portion visually depicting a first game element and second game elements disposed within a game environment. A position of the first game element, a position of each of the second game elements, and/or a number of second game elements is randomized. The first GUI also includes a control portion visually depicting commands for manipulating the first game element within the game environment, and a first code portion. The computer system receives an indication that the user selected one of the commands depicted in the control portion. In response, the game element is manipulated within the game environment in accordance with the selected command. A first sequence of software code associated with the selected command is displayed in the first code portion.

Abstract: A player model for a video game is generated based on inputs received from users who have played past versions of the game. The player model can be used to simulate user actions in a new version of the video game and make predictions about average user session length, average earnings per session, number of games played per day, etc. More than one player model may be generated for a game. Each player model for a game may represent one or more features, such as a user skill level, for a group of users.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and system for providing anonymous guest players for multiplayer applications are described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes initiating a game service for playing a multiplayer gaming application on a system, providing with a multiplayer API functionality for defining and adding an anonymous guest player to the system, generating data including a gaming invite that provides an ability to invite one or more friends that are registered with the game service and one or more anonymous guest players that are not registered with the game service. The method further includes receiving an input that identifies or selects an anonymous guest player to invite to play the multi-player gaming application on the system. The computer-implemented method further includes receiving data intended for the anonymous guest player from a different system of the multiplayer gaming application for peer to peer gaming applications.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first gamer, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second gamer, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second gamers determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In a fantasy sports team league, a player salary cap is established and a draft is conducted by enabling players to select teams or team characteristics from a list of game matchups. Each team or team characteristic is assigned a cost and a point value based on each team's chance of winning. The players are required to keep a total cost of the selected teams below the player salary cap. After the game matchups have been played, the point value for each winning team or team characteristic selected by each of the players is awarded.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for allocation of a series of picks amongst multiple selectors in a selection process is configured to use total picks data, number of selectors data, and picks per selector data to determine a series of benchmark pick slots for each selector in accordance with a benchmark, for each selector, calculating a pick cost for awarding a pick position to the selector, awarding said pick position to the selector for whom the pick cost would least deviate the system from the benchmark and storing said pick cost of awarding said pick, and then iterating through the remainder of the draft using pick cost to determine who picks next, ensuring maximum fairness in the pick order. The system also manages the draft itself once the pick order is determined. It can assign value to the items chosen. It awards, or deducts, points from participants based upon their receiving picks that are better or worse than they should have, and for the quality of the items they have chosen.

Abstract: A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.