Abstract: An athletic training system includes a goal net that may be positioned on a support surface. The goal net may capture a ball when the ball is launched toward the goal net. A rebound net is movably coupled to the goal net. The rebound net is positionable in a deployed position. The rebound net covers the goal net when the rebound net is positioned in the deployed position. Thus, the rebound net may rebound the ball when the ball is launched toward the goal net. The rebound net is positionable in a stored position such that the goal net is exposed.

Abstract: A basketball net device for mounting on a raised basketball hoop or ring from a position well below the basketball hoop. The basketball net device comprises an annular member or hoop ring having a hoop ring section for coupling to the basketball ring. The annular member includes an annular skirt section configured to extend and be positioned inside the basketball ring and support a net. According to an embodiment, the net is connected to the annular skirt section utilizing fasteners configured to secure the net and allow the net to pivot or rotate relative to the annular skirt section to emulate the game play of a conventional net mounted on the basketball hoop. According to another embodiment, the net comprises cords made from a tightly weaved material resulting in a net that is stiffer than a conventional net.

Abstract: A road trailer carrying a basketball goal assembly that includes a basketball backboard and hoop assembly supported by the trailer in a manner to allow it to be stowed inside an enclosure of the trailer and presented for use from the trailer where the basketball backboard and hoop assembly are located outside the footprint of the trailer when viewed in plan view.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a base, a runway, and a target. The base includes a baseplate and a ramp. The base plate has an upper surface and a leading end. The ramp includes a ramp leg that supports the ramp in an inclined position. The runway has a free end that extends from the leading end of the base plate in a deployed configuration of the gaming device. The target includes a target plate having a target surface that defines a plurality of holes. The target plate is hingedly attached to the base plate such that the base plate is foldable into the target in a transport configuration of the gaming device. In the transport configuration, the upper surface of the base plate opposes the target surface of the target plate with the ramp disposed between the upper surface and the target surface.

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 programmable electronic sports target system. The system includes one or more target devices mounted to a goal with a net. Each of the one or more target devices has a programmable module disposed therein for controlling and operating the one or more target devices. A remote control system containing a computer and a database is connected to each programmable module to receive target sensor data from the programmable module of each of the one or more target devices for analyzing the data and for transmitting operational control data to the programmable module for operational control of the target devices having the programmable module disposed therein. Target application software within mobile communications devices receives target sensor data from the remote control device and to transmit operational control data to the remote control device.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing swimming technique, the method comprising measuring pressure exerted on the hand during a handstroke with at least one pressure sensor (12) attached to a hand of a swimmer; measuring acceleration in three dimensions during the handstroke with at least one acceleration sensor (13) attached to the hand of the swimmer; and calculating from the measured values a profile of the handstroke comprising a quantity and direction of the force during the handstroke.

Abstract: A football tackle dummy made of dense foam and covered with durable materials. The device is round and has an inner opening formed with multiple angles. Adjacent sides of the inner opening are different colors which replicate the flashing of a player's legs during play. The angles formed in the inner opening replicate the angles of a player's hip, knee, and ankle which are preferred tackle point. When the device is rolled along the ground, the practicing player learns to focus on the angles and the changing colors in the inner opening. The device is intended to decrease injuries while learning to properly tackle an opponent.

Abstract: A swing trainer comprises a wire rope onto which are positioned a plurality of balls, each having a hole through the center, and cushioning devices on either end of the wire rope. The balls and cushioning devices can freely travel along the length of the wire rope. The rope is anchored to an immovable object or held on one end by a user.

Abstract: A sleeve for improving a swinging motion of a user wearing the sleeve includes a tubular portion and a primary member. The tubular portion has a first opening and a second opening. The tubular portion configured to directly engage an arm portion of the user, wherein the arm portion extends from the first opening to the second opening. The primary member is substantially adjacent a first opening of the tubular portion, wherein the primary member is removably attached or permanently attached to the sleeve. The thickness of the primary member is greater than a thickness of the tubular portion for providing feedback to the user when the primary member is in contact with a torso of the user.

Abstract: An elongate substrate strip of durable material with a top side having a linear arrangement of equally spaced circles each representing a regulation size golf ball; the circles being numbered consecutively for use as a reference to indicate ball position and/or foot position. The linear strip may be formed in two segments that are pivotally attached to one another to allow for pivotal swinging movement of one segment relative to the other so that the segments can be extended to a straight linear configuration, a right angle (90 degree) configuration and to a collapsed low profile configuration. The device provides an aid for proper target alignment, body and feet alignment and ball alignment when practicing various golf shots with all types of clubs including woods, short/mid/long irons, wedges and putter. The device also serves as a reference for analyzing divots (i.e., fat, thin, pull, hook) after each practice golf shot.

Abstract: The present invention includes programs, devices and methods for a ball throwing machine that is able to consistently throw balls to the same preset position at the moment a user demands it by manually pressing a button, by user defined time interval, or by trigger events using sensing technologies. The user demands are sent and received by a wired or wireless connection. The present invention includes sensing method(s) to detect a user's motion and/or voice command, and throw balls to the preset position in a timely manner—at exactly the moment when the command is received, or with a pre-programmed delay. The trigger events includes a player's position, moving speed, and/or body position.

Abstract: A location-and-event-tracking system includes radio-enabled anchors and tags on a field of play, e.g., a basketball court. Tags are attached to players and to balls or other game-play objects. The system determines the location in space of each of the tags. For tags connected to game-play objects, the system evaluates proximity to players to assess possession of the game-play object. If the game-play-object tag is not sufficiently close to a player for the player to be in possession of the object, the position of the game-play object is evaluated to determine whether the game-pay object is in a goal zone region. If so and the game-play object has been within an attempt zone, i.e., a sub-zone within the goal zone region, then the system determines whether a goal has been made by evaluating whether the game-play object passed in order through a number of sub-regions before, at, and after the goal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for administering a hole-in-one contest. Upon receiving payment, an identification code is transmitted to the golfer, and a video recording is made of the following events: 1) the player writing the identification code on the ball, 2) the player hitting the ball toward the green, 3) the ball's flight path toward the green, 4) retrieval of the ball from the cup, and 5) a close-up view of the ball showing the same identifying code that was placed on the ball earlier. The video recording is transmitted to a server where it is authenticated and verified. If the hole-in-one is verified, the player is awarded a prize. The system includes a player device, a video recording device (which may be integrated with the player device), a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and a server.

Abstract: A therapy system combining sensory input configured to enhance patients balance and stepping is provided. The system may include a mat that selectively receives a plurality of targets. The targets are contacted by the patient's feet and return an audible signal. The system allows a healthcare professional or patient to analyze gait and balance, and correct the same if needed.

Abstract: A helmet with an outer shell made from a fiber reinforced material, and preferably, a fiber reinforced polymer. The helmet preferably has a critical impact area that contains a greater concentration of fibers. Preferably, the helmet has a weight, offset, and dimensions which are comparable to a helmet with an outer shell that is not made from a fiber reinforced material. The helmet is preferably stiffer and more protective than a conventional helmet not having a fiber reinforced outer shell.

Abstract: A power and stabilizing apparatus for rolling or sliding-based recreational activities is disclosed. The apparatus may include a shafted body coupled to a biased member. The biased member may be a bowed biased member or any other biased member configured to store and release energy during use of the apparatus. The apparatus may also include a shoe coupled to the biased member opposite the body, the shoe having a traction element coupled thereto. The body may be a shafted telescoping body configured to lock in an extended position and lock in a retracted position. The body may be coupled to the bowed biased member with a coupling member having a first leg coupled to the body and a second leg coupled to the bowed biased member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a deck of playing cards for playing a card game comprising a plurality of spell cards and a plurality of trap cards. The spell cards are for offensive use by a player to inflict consequences to the player's opponent while the trap cards are for defensive use by a player to mitigate consequences of the spell cards. The spell cards and trap cards are intended to be combined and mixed into a single deck and then divided into player decks and distributed between the players. However, the use of spell cards is limited by a mana resource cost associated with each card and a corresponding mana resource availability of a spell caster desiring to use the spell cards. A plurality of cards in each player deck are removed from their respective player decks and used by each player to indicate available mana resources and exhausted mana resources.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a mobile freewheeling playing card cart. The cart has a tray positioned upon a rolling base that is capable of holding two or more stacks of playing cards. The tray features barriers and depressions around the card stacks that make the cards more easily accessible. The cart includes one or more handles used to maneuver the cart. The cart may be motorized through the use of an integrated battery and remote control.

Abstract: A football board game for playing a game board version of football between opposing players is provided. The game comprises a game table having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall around the complete perimeter of the game table. First and second legs are secured to the bottom surface of the game table with the legs extendable to support the game table above a surface and retractable to a position against the bottom surface of the game table. A carpeted football field is mounted to the top surface of the game table and configured to represent a standard football field and marked appropriately with yard lines, goal lines, and yardage. Two field goalposts are positionable on opposite ends of the football field. Also included are a set of thirty-two NFL cards, a pair of dice, two team figure helmets, and two yellow time out cards.

Abstract: An improved game surface for a table game system includes a random number generator for identifying one or more numbers relevant to determining an outcome of a game of chance. The table game surface includes a game layout, including a plurality of player positions and a plurality of wagering areas corresponding to different possible outcomes. Each wagering area includes at least one illumination source associated therewith that can be switched between an on condition and an off condition. Each at least one illumination source may be configured to switch to the on condition when the wagering area with which it is associated is a winning outcome.

Abstract: An educational word game designed to be played with cards or with card squares with three level and three series. The game is entertaining and competitive and functions for the entire family with its multitude of games. It is a developmental tool, a teaching tool and an ongoing learning process of vocabulary building skills. In the Level I game the three letters selected are used independently of each other in the first position of each word, Level II Game in the second position, and Level III in the third position. The first series focus on single letters for all three game levels, the second series on the double letters, and the third series on triple letters. The alphabet letters and the corresponding numbers guideline have many useful purposes.

Abstract: A method for displaying information of a physical game participant includes obtaining information of the physical game participant and controlling an LED light-emitting device to generate a corresponding lighting form based on the information.

Abstract: A prompting device for prompting state information of a physical game character includes a smog machine and a control circuit. The smog machine include a smog chamber, a heating element, and an air-blowing device. The smog chamber has a receiving cavity for receiving smog fluid, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the receiving cavity. The heating element is mourned within the receiving cavity and generates heat to vaporize the smog fluid after an electric current is applied. The air-blowing device is disposed corresponding to the outlet for blowing art air flow towards the receiving cavity. The air flow generated by the air-blowing device enters into the receiving cavity from the inlet and discharges smog within the receiving cavity from outlet. The control circuit is configured to control the smog machine to generate the smog that characterizes the state information.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing system including at least a reflection member, and an information processing apparatus capable of image processing. The reflection member is a retroreflecting material. The information processing apparatus includes an imaging section that captures an image, a first light emitting section, a second light emitting section, and a light source detecting section. The first light emitting section and the second light emitting section each emit light. At least one of a half-power angle and an entrance angle of the second light emitting section is different from that of the first light emitting section. The light source detecting section detects, in the image captured by the imaging section, a light source image including an image of the retroreflecting material. The image of the retroreflecting material indicates light that has been emitted from the first light emitting section and/or the second light emitting section and reflected by the retroreflecting material.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing system including a reflection member, a hand-held information processing apparatus including an imaging section, and an information processing apparatus communicable with the hand-held information processing apparatus. The reflection member is a retroreflecting material. The hand-held information processing apparatus includes the imaging section and a light emitting section. The hand-held information processing apparatus analyzes a captured image, calculates the position of an image of the retroreflecting material corresponding to reflected light from the retroreflecting material, and outputs positional information thereof. The information processing apparatus estimates the orientation or position of the hand-held information processing apparatus on the basis of the positional information, and generates an image based on the result of the estimation.

Abstract: A pair of interconnectable handheld controllers is disclosed. The pair of controllers includes a right-hand controller and a left-hand controller. The right-hand controller includes a right-hand handle portion, a surrounding right-hand ring portion, and a first connector disposed on the right-hand ring portion. The left-hand controller includes a left-hand handle portion, a surrounding left-hand ring portion, and a second connector disposed on the left-hand ring portion. The first connector and the second connector are cooperative to releasably attach the right-hand controller and the left-hand controller together. The first connector and the second connector can be magnets, cooperative hook and loop material, or a ball and socket arrangement.

Abstract: An operation information measurement apparatus having a detection unit that detects information corresponding to a motion of a user includes: an operation information measurement unit that measures operation information of a user based on the information detected by the detection unit; a communication unit for performing near-field wireless communication with another apparatus; and a control unit that judges whether or not a first operation based on the detection information detected at a certain time by the detection unit of the operation information measurement apparatus matches a second operation based on detection information of a detection unit received from the other apparatus via the communication unit in a period from the certain time to a time when an amount of time corresponding to a first threshold elapses, and based on the result of that judgment, the control unit determines whether or not to output a command signal to the control unit.

Abstract: An example game controller is removably attachable to a main unit having a main unit-side slide member and configured to execute a game process. The game controller having a front surface and at least first and second side surfaces relative to the front surface. The game controller includes a controller-side slide member. The controller-side slide member protrudes from the second side surface and is configured for slidably engaging with the main unit-side slide member in a slide direction. The controller-side slide member includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface extends from the first end to the second end of the controller-side slide member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slide direction. The game controller includes a first operation control. The first operation control is provided on the lower surface.

Abstract: A user input device includes a housing, a user input element adapted to be operated by a user and configured to send a signal to a processor when operated by the user, and an actuator coupled to the user input element. The actuator is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the user input element in response to the control signal from the processor. A vibration isolation barrier is disposed between the user input element and the housing, wherein the vibration isolation barrier substantially mechanically isolates the user input element from the housing. The user input element may be a joystick, button, or trigger.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and computing devices are described herein for restoring gameplay by replaying past inputs. During gameplay, capture logic captures participant inputs that were received to change states of game objects. The capture logic stores the captured information in an electronic record of period(s) of the gameplay. After the period(s) of gameplay, replay logic receives a request to initiate subsequent gameplay beginning from a point in time from a period of past gameplay. The replay logic causes the subsequent gameplay to begin from the point at least in part by loading saved state information and replaying the captured participant inputs.

Abstract: A plurality of characters including a player character appears in a video game. An arrangement position of at least one of characters is specified in a virtual space in accordance with progress of the video game. A display mode is set up to any one of a first display mode and a second display mode. A game control is carried out in the first display mode in which a photographed image of the virtual space photographed by a virtual camera is displayed on a game screen or the second display mode in which an arrangement image is displayed on the game screen. Each of the plurality of characters is arranged at a predetermined position in the arrangement image with a predetermined relationship with the arrangement position of the corresponding character in the virtual space. The game control is carried out in the display mode thus set up.

Abstract: An electronic device may receive a plurality of channels of game and/or chat audio during play of a game. The electronic device may detect one or more sounds on one or more of the audio channels during the monitoring of the plurality of audio channels. The electronic device may control, based on the detected one or more sounds, operation of a game controller that interacts with the game during play. The controlling of the operation of the game controller may comprise adjusting sensitivity of the game controller. The electronic device may determine directionality of the detected one or more sounds and adjust the sensitivity of the game controller based on the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds. The electronic device may increase and/or decrease the sensitivity of the game controller in response to changes in the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows a player to play a massively single-player online game without directly interacting with other players, while affecting and being affected by other players playing the online game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, systems and computer program products for promoting users to combine gaming experience with consuming media content. The invention further relates unlocking bonus content in a game application.

Abstract: A method of encouraging actions by users with respect to a game networking system is disclosed. An indication of a presence of a user of a game networking system at a physical location is received. An opportunity for the user to perform an action within a game associated with the game networking system to obtain an achievement pertaining to the game is identified. The availability of the opportunity is triggered based on the presence of the user at the physical location. A notification to the user of information pertaining to the opportunity is communicated.

Abstract: A method of testing an application by variably adjusting parameters in executed instances of the application includes receiving data that represents two or more experiments, each experiment comprising at least one variation of values for one or more adjustable parameters in the application, assigning unique user identifiers (IDs) to users of the application, receiving, via a network, a request for parameter values from a computing device that is running an instance of the application, the request including a first user ID, determining whether the instance of the application is a participant in a variation group or a control group in each of the two or more experiments based on a function, per experiment, applied to the first user ID, and transmitting, to the computing device via the network, parameter values based on the participant determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing recommendations of online games to friends of social network are described. A method for processing recommendations includes identifying a gaming session of a user on an online game provider network, accessing a use profile of the user for the online games of the online game provider network, and accessing a social graph of the user to identify friends of the user and respective friend profiles from the social network. The method further includes producing a recommendation of an online game. The recommendation includes an identification of a target friend of the user and is being provided by examination of the use profile of the user and friend profiles in the social graph. The method includes providing the recommendation to the user. The recommendation also includes an offer incentive to the user to share the recommendation with the target friend.

Abstract: A fantasy sports visual simulation system providing an audiovisual experience that allows contest participants and spectators to view a videogame-like model of a virtual fantasy sports contest. These simulations can occur at any time between any two or more contest participants, like mini-contests within the context of a broader league. Once a league is formed and team rosters are created, numerical calculations are performed based on real-athlete statistics to determine a current “state” of performance for all virtual athletes in gameplay. This statistical analysis is the basis for assigning performance variables to each virtual athlete, which allows the system to calculate numerical point values based on the performance of each virtual athlete and team in this fantasy sports visual simulation system.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically valuating players during a fantasy draft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing, in an electronic device, a list of players, each player associated with a base value, receiving one or more player sections, and determining one or more adjusted values for a respective one or more particular players based at least in part on the base values of the particular players and the player selections.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to multi-user online gaming systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that enable a spectator's experience for online active games. In an embodiment, an online multiuser game system includes an online game session server system communicatively coupled to a public network for access by a plurality of users to establish a plurality of real-time interactive games sessions. The online multiuser game system further includes a spectator server communicatively coupled to the online game session server system and configured to enable a user to view summary information of an active game session. In another embodiment, the spectator server enables the user to time shift the active game session and to view the summary information of the active game session. In another embodiment, the spectator server enables the user to view the summary information of the active game session while the user is playing the active game session.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for extracting and analyzing streaming gaming video data are disclosed. The methods involve receiving streaming gaming video data, extracting individual frames, analyzing individual frames to determine the location of objects and occurrence of events, using the objects and events to determine a change in game state, and updating the game state.

Abstract: A system for managing game-playing experiences includes one or more game-playing devices provided with communication interfaces for exchanging game-playing experiences therebetween. Each device includes computing hardware coupled to a graphical interface for presenting an interactive game thereupon. The computing hardware is operable to execute one or more game software products recorded on machine-readable data storage media for generating the interactive game. The one or more game software products include a game experience software module (GESW) for generating metadata concurrently with recording the game-playing experience substantially as presented via the graphical interface which enables the recorded game-playing experience to be subsequently managed prior to communication for distribution for viewing. Optionally, the metadata includes one or more metadata events which are searchable when subsequently viewing the game-playing experience.

Abstract: A portable electronic device 100 includes a horizontally long casing, both ends of which are gripped by a user's both hands, respectively. The device further includes a LCD fit into the front face of the casing 10. Outwardly projecting bulges are respectively formed at both sides of the rear face of the casing where fingers of the user gripping the casing 10 placed. Since the fingers and palms are naturally flexed to fit to the dome-like bulges 42L, 42R, the portable electronic device 100 fits comfortably in the user's hands. The operability is hard to be degraded even if the device is vibrated strongly during a game play with the device.

Abstract: A padded grating system comprising sheets of multiple composite members secured together with multiple support bars or battens, wherein each composite member preferably consists of an elongated rigid bar with a foam layer adhered thereto which are encapsulated by a PVC or plastic water impervious tube or sleeve that has been heated and shrunk thereon. The sheets are specifically designed to be used in connection with water rides such as the FlowRider® and can be modularly installed on site to cover certain drainage areas. The composite members are preferably made by gluing the rigid bars onto a sheet of foam and cutting the foam sheet to form the composite members, and after the tube or sleeve has been heat shrunk around each one, the ends of the composite members are then cut and sealed.

Abstract: An action character model includes a torso having a first magnet disposed therein, the torso bounding a first passage extending from an exterior surface of the torso toward the first magnet. A first appendage has a first connector attached thereto, a portion of the first connector being received within first passage so that the first connector is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the first connector being non-magnetic.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for altering one or more properties of a primary material. The method includes reducing the elasticity of a primary material and creating a delivery aperture through an outer layer of the primary material. Once the delivery aperture is created, or as the delivery aperture is created, introducing through the delivery aperture a secondary material into a sublayer of the primary material and applying a closure treatment to the primary material to close the delivery aperture. The secondary material includes one or more properties that are different from the primary material. By introducing the secondary material into the primary material, the secondary material locally changes the properties of the primary material. Examples of the variable properties include color, strength, flexibility, magnetism, and optical.

Abstract: A plastic sheet that can be formed into a cylinder or truncated cone and attached to a pressure vessel by use of integral self-adhesive tabs. The cylinder or truncated cone is then used as an extension and structure for the attachment of rocket fins.

Abstract: The general inventive technology in this application includes methods and apparatus for producing a modular balloon cluster. Such modular balloon clusters may include a plurality of helium-free balloons coupled with a central modular adaptor forming a cluster. In certain cases, multiple modular adaptors may be positioned on a display pole and may even be positioned in an offset manner forming a continuous spiral balloon cluster display.

Abstract: Embodiments herein use multiple different transmission modes of a line-of-sight (LOS) communication system (e.g., an infrared (IR) or visible light communicate system) to simulate user actions that correspond to different distances—e.g., a melee attack versus a ranged attack. A toy device may include various sensors that detect user motion which is then used to identify a user action. If the user action is a melee attack, then the attack should affect only targets that are close to the toy device. To simulate this difference between user actions, the toy device uses a first LOS transmission mode which may have a limited range to send an instruction to a target device. Conversely, if the user action is a ranged attack, then the toy device uses a second LOS transmission mode which has a greater range than the first LOS transmission mode to send the instruction.