Patents Issued in December 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9517376
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a removable attachment for installing on a bicycle with the goal of altering the resistance to either front tire or back tire revolution. In this way, the bicycle includes enhanced physical training capabilities allowing the rider to use a bicycle on a standard trainer frame or as a regular bicycle for riding in the usual manner. In one embodiment, the attachment includes a resistance support connected to a bicycle and supporting a resistance device that engages a bicycle wheel or bicycle tire for altering the resistance to tire revolution. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a resistance support attached to the bicycle proximate a bicycle tire along with a resistance device removably attached to the resistance support. In one embodiment, the resistance device defines a slot, and the resistance support projects through the slot to position the resistance device against the bicycle wheel or the bicycle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Brian H. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9517377
    Abstract: An exercise bar having a cross sectional shape in the form of an octagon, and composed of a longitudinal body with stabilizer ends attached to the ends thereof. The longitudinal body has a central axis constant through its length, and can be manufactured with materials such as hard woods, plastic, certain metals, sponge rubber, or any resilient material which resists bending or deflection when used in specific exercises. The material can be selected to be lightweight to ensure persons of any strength level can use the exercise bar. The stabilizer ends are secured to the ends of the longitudinal body, and can be any type of rubber material or material that grips a smooth surface, such as laminated wood flooring, to prevent slippage of the longitudinal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Giacomo Villella
  • Patent number: 9517378
    Abstract: In general, the present invention discloses treadmills that include a monitor that detects foot falls of a person exercising on the treadmill. Various mechanisms are described that can be incorporated on a treadmill to detect foot falls. For example, load cells, vibration monitors, motor load variance monitors, and sound monitors can be used to detect foot falls. A processing unit on the treadmill can receive data from the foot fall monitor to calculate a cadence, or a number of foot falls per unit time. Information relating to cadence can be displayed to the person exercising. In addition to a foot fall monitor, the present invention also discloses a monitor that detects foot lifts of a person exercising on a treadmill. A processing unit can receive data from the foot fall and foot lift monitors to determine and display stride length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ashby, Greg W. Law
  • Patent number: 9517379
    Abstract: An unstable user support device designed for mounting on an exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the unstable user support platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the unstable user support platform while performing an exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith, Thao V. Doan
  • Patent number: 9517380
    Abstract: A device for exercising leg muscles, ligaments, and tendons attendant to movement of a human knee following knee replacement surgery or during rehabilitation following knee injury is provided. The user lies supine on a flat surface and braces the back of his or her upper thigh against the device's leg support bar, so that the user's upper thigh is approximately perpendicular to the user's upper torso. The patient maintains this position and exercises the knee by extending and flexing his or her lower leg. Some embodiments include an elastic band that attaches to the device in a position that limits the degree of leg flexion to within a desired range. Some embodiments include an ankle strap attached to a cord, which may be used to build quadriceps strength through application of resistance, and/or for applying downward pulling force to the lower leg during passive range-of-motion exercising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Ryan J. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 9517381
    Abstract: A medical leg support arrangement includes a main housing having a platform that a foot of a user would rest and be fastened there upon. Rotatable ground engaging strips are provided on opposing sides of the platform, wherein each rotatable ground engaging strip includes curved and/or arched up distal ends such that when in use weight bearing support of the arrangement is maintained upon initial contact and departure of the arrangement from the ground so as to allow continuous support to the leg of the user during back and forth circumferential motion instigated by the user when ground engaging the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Maxm Skate Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew Liptack
  • Patent number: 9517382
    Abstract: An exercise system including a bar having a cushioned section and two non-cushioned sections configured for a user to grip while performing a pushup; a support apparatus, the support apparatus including: two side structures; a back structure affixed to an edge of each of the two side structures via one or more hinges, wherein the back structure is configured to be positioned against a wall; and a plurality of parallel slots formed in an edge of each of the two side structures opposite the edge of each side structure affixed to the back structure, wherein the parallel slots are configured to support the bar when a user performs a pushup; wherein the one or more hinges attaching each side structure to the back structure allow a user to transition the support apparatus between a deployed configuration and a storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Payne
  • Patent number: 9517383
    Abstract: A display method and a multimedia apparatus applying the same are provided. The display method includes acquiring exercise information of a user, transmitting the exercise information to a server, receiving from the server a transport stream including video data in which a screen is changed at a rate corresponding to the exercise information, and displaying the video data by processing the transport stream. Therefore, the multimedia apparatus provides active multimedia exercise content to the user using exercise information and physical information of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-yun Shin, Giu-yeol Kim, Du-seok Kim, Jun-mo Yang, Seung-youl Lee
  • Patent number: 9517384
    Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a strike measurement system (44) for a punching bag (14). The measurement system (44) includes an accessory (10) for being installed on the punching bag (14). The accessory (10) has a number of sensors (16) for receiving strike data, and a communications facility (42) for use in transmitting strike information to a computing device (50); wherein the system (44) is adapted for utilising an intermediate computing device (46) between the computing device (50) and the communications facility (42). In the system (44) the intermediate computing device (46) configured for assisting with the transmission of the strike information to the computing device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AVALE ENTERPRISES PTY LTD
    Inventors: Vu Le, Abtin Mahdavi
  • Patent number: 9517385
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball providing a great distance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball striking a balance between a flight distance on a driver shot and an approach performance on an approach shot while providing an excellent shot feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoko Okabe, Keiji Ohama, Takahiro Shigemitsu
  • Patent number: 9517386
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance on driver shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Toshiyuki Tarao, Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Kazumi Kodama, Keiichi Hattori, Kotaro Ryuo
  • Patent number: 9517387
    Abstract: A gymnastic tool (1) is formed by at least two impermeable external walls (2, 3) which are each concave shaped and provided with respective edges (4,5). The at least two impermeable walls (2, 3) are mutually fixed together by a connector (6), the gymnastic tool having at least one inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Trial S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Montanari
  • Patent number: 9517388
    Abstract: A ball includes a shell defining a spheroid. The shell includes an opening and a panel to close the opening. The panel has a sleeve that extends radially inward. A generation module is disposed in a cavity defined by the shell. The generation module includes a housing. A pendulum, an electric generator, and a battery are disposed in the housing. The pendulum is mechanically coupled to a rotor of the electric generator at a first axis of rotation of the pendulum and the electric generator is electrically coupled to the battery. An acceleration of the ball causes the pendulum to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The rotation of the pendulum rotates the rotor of the electric generator. The rotation of the rotor of the electric generator generates electricity, and at least a portion of the generated electricity is stored by the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Uncharted Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica O. Idoni-Matthews, Julia Claire Silverman, Victor Angel Mosti, Joel Manalo
  • Patent number: 9517389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beach ball including a light-emitting device which can be disposed in the beach ball and a light-emitting device accommodating groove which can removably accommodate the light-emitting device in the ball such that the beach ball can be played with even at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Myung Hee Won
  • Patent number: 9517390
    Abstract: A practice hockey puck locker which is mounted on an upstanding wall member. The locker includes a first upstanding first rectangular tube, having open upper and lower ends, a second tubular member, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from the lower end of the first tubular member and a third tubular member, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from the lower end of the third tubular member. A puck dispenser housing is secured to the lower end of the third tubular member. A key operated dead bolt is positioned on the dispenser housing which is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions. When the dead bolt is in the locked position, the pucks cannot be dispensed from the dispenser housing. When the dead bolt is in the unlocked position, the pucks may fall from the lower end of the discharge dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Michael E. Duffy
  • Patent number: 9517391
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Joshua M. Boggs, Matthew P. Rubal
  • Patent number: 9517392
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head has a face for hitting a ball, a sole extending backward from the lower edge of the face and extending in the toe-heel direction of the head so as to define the bottom surface of the club head, and a hosel extending upward in a heel-side of the face and provided with a shaft inserting hole. The club head is composed of a head main body including the face, and a weight member having a specific gravity larger than that of the head main body and fixed to the head main body. The weight member integrally includes a first part extending in the toe-heel direction in the sole, and a second part constituting at least substantial portion of the hosel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Naoyoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 9517393
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a metallic body, a club face, and a polymeric insert that cooperate to at least partially define a closed internal cavity. The metallic body includes a sole, a topline, and a rear wall defining an opening, with the rear wall being disposed between the topline and the sole. The club face is disposed between the topline and the sole, and on an opposite side of the sole from the rear wall. A strut extends across the opening and is secured to the body, and a polymeric insert covers the opening and is secured both to the body and to the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Cardani, Matt Daraskavich, Brian Kammerer, Pedro Maldonado, Michael Pinto
  • Patent number: 9517394
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head with a dampening screw is disclosed herein. The club head comprises a body and a face insert engaged by the dampening screw. The dampening screw is threadingly positioned within an aperture of an aft wall, and has a tip section and a threaded section. The sound of the putter striking a golf ball is dampened when the top section of the dampening screw engages the interior surface of the face insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Kevin Dacey, Craig E. Abbott, Augustin W. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 9517395
    Abstract: An embodiment of a putting target (10) whereby a golf ball is caught utilizing a hydrogel section (16) that is affixed to a section of magnetic sheeting (12). The hydrogel section (16) provides an adhesive catch area so that a golf ball can be effectively caught with its surface. Alternate embodiments of a hydrogel section (16) affixed to magnetic sheeting (12) can be useful in various fields for activities or procedures that require the temporary adherence of a tool, device, decoration, etc., to a magnetic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony Giantinoto
  • Patent number: 9517396
    Abstract: A motorized broom that may be used in the game of curling is provided. The broom comprises a moveable synthetic fabric brush head that can provide a sweeping motion consistent with the regulatory requirements governing the game of curling. The motorized curling broom can assist individuals who would otherwise not be able to effectively accomplish a sweeping motion with their own strength or stamina to participate recreationally and competitively in the game. The curling broom comprises: a motor and associated gear reduction and crank configuration for causing a sinusoidal back and forth sweeping action of the brush head. The broom further includes a user control mechanism for intuitive adjustment of the power supplied to the brush head by way of controlling the speed of the motor and the pressure applied to the sweeping surface. A dynamic balancing mechanism reduces unwanted vibration transmitted to the individual using the broom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: John Albert Ireland, Alexander John Ireland
  • Patent number: 9517397
    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; derive at least one football motion parameter from the input pertaining to the motion of the football; and display information relating to the input. The at least one football motion parameter includes spiral efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, Kevin L. Krysiak, David J. Proeber, Bradley L. Gaff
  • Patent number: 9517398
    Abstract: An extra-long air-water sandbag includes an inner bladder and an external bag. The external bag is a bag to hold the inner bladder and covers the external of the inner bladder. The inner bladder further includes an inner and outer layer container set which includes a gas container and a liquid container, and an extension layer gas container which is a bladder for containing gas and housed at the top, bottom or top and bottom thereof to increase the total length of space of gas container of the punching bag. As the length of gas container is increased, combat training for the feet is hence achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Dickson Fu, David Fu
  • Patent number: 9517399
    Abstract: The portable golf impact practice mat is a golf practice mat that provides visual indicators to inform of three extremely important impact conditions using a digital display, a signal generating unit and a plurality of LED (light emitting diode). One of them indicates the swing path in reference to how the golf club head moves toward the target. Another detects and indicates if the club head hits the golf mat in front of the ball also known as a “fat shot”. Lastly, the third displays a club head speed upon impact. The present invention is designed to be used by attaching to the general golf practice mats widely found in public golf driving ranges or personal golf practice mats. The present invention is compact, folds in half and fits in one-hand providing portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Seung Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9517400
    Abstract: A mouth guard composed of a polymer consisting essentially of polycaprolactone exhibits a low softening point, enabling it to be easily custom-fitted by the user or a health professional. The material is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped, unformed sheet of material, enabling the material to be heated with hot water or microwave energy and custom-fitted to the dentition of a user. The mouth guard may be perforated and may include a no-stick layer and/or a flavoring agent. A plurality of mouth guards may be provided in different sizes for children and adults and different shapes for different sports. In the preferred embodiments the mouth guard has a periphery including a plurality of lobes and cusps to enhance fitting. A method of fabricating an improved mouth guard according to the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Akervall Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Akervall, Johann Schwank
  • Patent number: 9517401
    Abstract: A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system including shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The cervical spine protection device includes a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders, an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, where the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface. The cervical spine protection device also includes a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cervical spine protection device further includes an outside portion shaped to engage with shoulder pads, where the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck, and an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9517402
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention uniquely identify players in a video game based on how a player interacts with a game and/or other players to generate a unique player identifier or player fingerprint. The player may also be categorized by player data or category to identify certain behavior (e.g., fraud). This unique information may be used to accurately authenticate the player to address fraud and other situations involving an unauthorized player. By verifying the identity of the player, an embodiment of the present invention may detect, minimize and/or prevent fraud and/or other situations where someone else is improperly playing or accessing another player's account. Authentication of player identity can also be used to detect cheating, improper sale of accounts, and other undesirable player behavior. Player fingerprint information may also be used to tailor information to the player (e.g., suggestions for other games, advertisements, instructional information, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: EPIC GAMES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Vogel
  • Patent number: 9517403
    Abstract: A system and method for rewarding user creation of customized virtual items are disclosed. Rewards may be determined for distribution to a user creator of customized virtual item based on reviews by other users of a virtual space. The reward determination may be based on the user reviews breaching at least one reward criteria. In some examples, the reward criteria may include a number of votes indicating whether the user reviewers like or dislike the customized virtual item created by the user creator. In some examples, the customized virtual item under review may include a customized virtual space race car. In some instances, reviews may be received for the customized virtual space race car for determination of a reward separate and distinct from a reward based on a race result achieved in a virtual space car race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Kevin Lee, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Steven Martin
  • Patent number: 9517404
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations may facilitate modifications to characters and/or virtual items within a virtual space, or to the virtual space itself, made responsive to detection of a token. In some implementations, a physical accessory may depict a character in the virtual space. By way of non-limiting example, the physical accessory may include a toy figurine resembling the character. A detectable token (i.e., a physical object) may be removably attached to the physical accessory. According to some implementations, responsive to the physical accessory being detected along with the removably attached token, a modification within the virtual space may be made to the character and/or a virtual item associated with the character. In some implementations, detection of the token alone may effectuate such a modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jieun Kim, Afsoun Yazdian, Armen Mkrtchyan, Robert Nelson, Tracy Thurman, Jeffrey Bunker, John Blackburn
  • Patent number: 9517405
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating cross-game content access are disclosed. A set of content may be gated by a non-player character in a first online game. Access to the set of content may be granted in the first online game upon user defeating the non-player character or a character corresponding to the non-player character in a second online game. A notification may be generated in the first online game when a user encounters the non-player character in the first online game. The notification may include information indicating that the non-player character may be defeated in the second online game. In some examples, the non-player character in the first online game may share the same entity state with the corresponding character in the second online game such that they may appear as if there were the same character in the first and second online games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Chanthasiriphan, John Kim, Kevin Lee
  • Patent number: 9517406
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James Meschter
  • Patent number: 9517407
    Abstract: A second game controller includes both of a first detection section provided in a first game controller, and a second detection section provided in an extended controller that is detachably connected to the first game controller. An operation to the second game controller is detectable by the both detection sections, but the result of the detection by the first detection section is not included in transmission data to be transmitted to a game apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yasuda, Naoto Kobe
  • Patent number: 9517408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller, in particular for video games, capable of operating according to at least a gear selection mode and a brake mode. According to the invention, said controller comprises a support casing, a lever mounted on said support casing and capable of pivoting from a neutral position around at least an axis, and a detector to detect, in the gear selection mode, at least two different positions of the lever obtained by the pivoting thereof from the neutral position and, in the brake mode, an angular value corresponding to a braking force required by a user by the pivoting of the controller lever according to said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GUILLEMOT CORPORATION S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Jaouen, Patrick Pennaneac'h, David Sauvage
  • Patent number: 9517409
    Abstract: A server device according to the present invention is connected with a player terminal through a network, displays, in the player terminal, a screen in which a plurality of types of playable games is listed, receives a reservation registration request of automatic play information in which a game and a start timing specified by the player are set, and perform reservation registration of the automatic play information of the player. The server device determines whether automatically starting a game play of the specified game at the specified start timing based on the automatic play information subjected to the reservation registration, and automatically starts the game play of the game at the start timing when the determination is affirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DeNA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hotaka Kawada, Takashi Ninjouji, Takahiro Otomo
  • Patent number: 9517410
    Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely provisioning immediately executable games with license control in secure environments. Immediately initially executable portions of games are pushed onto user desktops, and when games are selected for play, additional components of selected games are streamed to said desktops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Numecent Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Yavuz Ahiska, Bartu Ahiska
  • Patent number: 9517411
    Abstract: A user interface processing apparatus is provided. A user interface element such as a virtual controller is displayed on a display screen. When an operation to the displayed user interface element is received from a player, the application is controlled in accordance with the received operation. A learning level of the player is determined in accordance with a control state of the application, such as utilization time of the application and the number of executions of a predetermined function in the application. The transparency is increased in accordance with the determined learning level. In a case where it is detected that an operation state of the user interface element continues for a certain period of time, transparency of the user interface element to increase is determined. The user interface element is displayed with the determined transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Takehiro Ando, Hidetoshi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 9517412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating an object include a display for displaying an object where the object has a geometric shape and is arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape. The display also displays at least a second orientation of the geometric shape in proximity to the object. The system includes a user interface for receiving a user input to select the second orientation of the geometric shape. A processor, in communication with the display and user interface, determines one or more possible orientations of the object including the second orientation and arranges the orientation of the geometric shape of the object to match the selected second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TETRIS HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: Henk B. Rogers, Jared Wiant Eden, Mark Boon, Nicholas Jacob Cook
  • Patent number: 9517413
    Abstract: A method of combining games suited for synchronous play with games suited for asynchronous play is disclosed. It is identified that a first player and a second player are playing a primary game. The primary game has been determined to require the first player and the second player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the primary game. The first player and a third player are provided with an option to play a secondary game simultaneously with the first game. The secondary game is adapted such that it is determined that the secondary game does not require the first player and the third player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the secondary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Shane Ishmael Sareli, Michael Kane, Justin Potter Driemeyer, Lamberto Alvaro
  • Patent number: 9517414
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates creation of an online game. During operation, the system obtains a data set and a game template for the online game. Next, the system enables a user to select one or more subsets of the data set for use with the game template. Finally, the system creates the online game from the game template and data from the one or more subsets without requiring manual input of the data into the game template by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: IXL LEARNING
    Inventor: Paul B. Mishkin
  • Patent number: 9517415
    Abstract: A method and system for generating augmented reality with a display of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises recording an image of an environment of the vehicle in the form of image data, determining a virtual space in three dimensions from the image data, and detecting a real object in the image data. The method further comprises determining a first coordinate range of the real object in the three dimensional virtual space, adding a virtual element to the three dimensional virtual space, and controlling the virtual element in the three dimensional virtual space based on a user input. The method further comprises outputting the environment and the controlled virtual element in combined form in an output image, modifying the output image when the first coordinate range of the real object and a second coordinate range of the controlled virtual element form an intersection area, and displaying the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Muench, Philipp Schmauderer, Christoph Benz, Andreas Koerner
  • Patent number: 9517416
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically determining parameters of crafting activities for individual users in a virtual space are disclosed. The crafting activity parameters may be determined based on rate of usage of the virtual space by the users. In some examples, a user usage rate of the virtual space may be determined to measure an amount of time a user spend in the virtual space during a period of real-world time. Based on the determined user usage rate of the virtual space, crafting activity parameters may be determined, for example, to balance differences in time spent in the virtual space by the users. In some implementations, for such determinations of the crafting activity parameters, one or more user normalization standards may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9517417
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for providing analytics including participant statistical data or game status data. In one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting participant data relating to one or more participants that are available in a fantasy game, the fantasy game is at least partially related to a players performance in a sporting event; receiving a selected participant data indication from at least one user, the selected participant data indication provides selection of at least one participant from the participant data; generating a participant data update for one or more participants based on the selected participant data indication; the participant data is defined by a time period comprising an event and is calculated based on blink data transmitted from a location tag mounted to the participant; and transmitting the participant data update, the participant data update is viewable via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: David Austerlade, Gene Hofer, James J. O'Hagan
  • Patent number: 9517418
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to virtual world management and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for conversation detection in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for conversation management in a virtual world data processing system can include detecting a sequence of statements from at least two avatars in a virtual world, and locating the avatars in the virtual world, computing a temporal proximity of the statements. The statements can be grouped in the virtual world if the avatars are geographically proximate to one another in the virtual world and if the statements have occurred within a threshold temporal proximity of one another. Thereafter, the grouped statements can be persisted in the virtual world as a conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Alkov, Travis M. Grigsby, Ruthie D. Lyle, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Patent number: 9517419
    Abstract: The playground for handicapped children is a collection of playground equipment designed for use by handicapped children. The playground for handicapped children comprises a bridge, a slide, a swing set, and a ball pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Tre Lisa Lee, Bobby Lee, Trellany Lee
  • Patent number: 9517420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a deflector for a water dump apparatus positioned within a flow path of water discharged from a selectably dischargable container. The deflector comprises a deflector body having a top deflection surface thereon, a pivot mount for pivotally supporting the deflector body and an adjustor for selectably fixing the deflector plate at an orientation desired by a user. The deflector body may extend between first and second ends and be pivotally supported at the first end thereof. The deflector surface may be a planar concave or convex surface. The deflector body has an exterior edge which is substantially circular. The adjustor may comprise an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pin selectably engageable within one of a plurality of notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Jill White, James Irvine
  • Patent number: 9517421
    Abstract: A novelty toy, apparel, or jewelry, device for fanciful detection of ghosts, or other paranormal phenomena, through exploitation of Hall Effect, or of thermochromic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Maureen Mae
  • Patent number: 9517422
    Abstract: A tethering assembly includes a housing that may be positioned on a support surface. A plurality of arms radiates outwardly from the housing. A plurality of cylinders is each coupled to a distal end of an associated one of the arms. A plurality of cords each extends outwardly from the distal end of an associated one of the arms and an associated one of the cylinders. A plurality of clips is each coupled to an associated one of the cords. Each of the clips may be coupled to an associated one of a plurality of toys. A plurality of retractors is each positioned within an associated one of the arms. Each of the retractors has an associated one of the cords is coupled thereto. Thus, the retractors each allow the clips to be moved between a minimum distance and a maximum distance away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Alan Resh, Sharon Resh
  • Patent number: 9517423
    Abstract: A toy construction set comprises a base block and one or more rotating blocks configured for coupling to the base block, to other rotating blocks, or to both. The base block may be define by an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side surface. The base block may comprise a body and a plurality of projections extending outward from the body. Interior cylindrical surfaces may extend between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base block. An upper chamfer may connect the interior cylindrical surface with the upper surface, and a lower chamfer may connect the interior cylindrical surface with the lower surface. The rotating blocks may comprise a hub having a body and a grip extending upward from the upper end of the body. Optionally, the hub may also have a coupling mechanism extending downward from the lower end of the body. Structural elements may emanate from the body of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Maurice S. Kanbar Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Maurice S. Kanbar, Albert Kolvites
  • Patent number: 9517424
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide metal ligand nanoparticles, particles including the metal ligand nanoparticles, filters including the metal ligand nanoparticles and/or particles, devices and systems for filtering a fluid, compositions including the metal ligand nanoparticles, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Keaffaber, Daniel R. Talham
  • Patent number: 9517425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element, a method for manufacturing the filter element, and use. The filter element (1) is formed of a solid-liquid filter fabric (2) and has at least one separately manufactured support element (14) fastened to it. The support is a plate-like piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Rauno Nordfors, Marko Salmela, Sanna Uusitalo