Abstract: A mechanism for attaching, for example, a boot to a ski, that uses a sphere in cylinder geometry to enable release in a wide array of incremental directions and rotations.

Abstract: A removable lighting system for skates or skateboards by mounting a lighting assembly underside of the skateboard and providing a light in the night to the user. The lighting system, including: a riding platform having a top riding surface and a bottom surface a front lighting source; a back lighting source and at least one power source.

Abstract: Methods of playing commission-free pai gow poker games are disclosed. The commission-free pai gow poker games have multiple features, including a novel push mechanise and a novel copy-fostering mechanism, that provide a gaming establishment with an adequate house edge without the need to charge a commission on player wins. The features of the commission-free pai gow poker games may be incorporated in one or more instruction sets or software configured in one or more mechanical devices and/or electronic devices. Furthermore, the features may be configured in one or more displays in communication with one or more servers as desired. Furthermore, the commission-free pai gow poker games may be offered in a non-gaming media environment as desired.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides a computer-implemented method to conduct a drawing game that at least includes: providing a first game piece, where the first game piece has a first game data of the drawing game; receiving the first game data of the drawing game; determining a second game data of the drawing game based at least in part on; the first game data, where the second data includes the first game data, and a predetermined rule; randomly generating a third game data of the drawing game; prodding a second game piece having the second game data and the third game data of the drawing game to a player, where the second game piece is capable of enabling the player to determine, by comparing the second game data and the third game data of the drawing game, whether the player wins a prize of the drawing game.

Abstract: A game table for a top being formed by a single sheet of synthetic resin and having upper and lower sides that are complementary to each other in depression and protrusion, and including a bowl-shaped field on which a rotating top moves. A plurality of recesses is formed at a predetermined distance on an upper surface of an inner portion of the field or a portion peripheral to the field, and walls defining the recesses protrude downward from a lower surface of the inner portion or the peripheral portion to form legs which can sit on a support.

Abstract: An operating device includes: right and left hold sections to be held by a user, the right and left hold sections provided with first operating members; and a central section interconnecting the right and left hold sections. The operating device has a second operating member forming an upper surface of the central section. The second operating member includes a touch sensor located between the first operating members of the right and left hold sections, and is so supported as to be capable of vertical movement in response to a user's pressing-down operation. The second operating member is plate-like in shape, so that user's fingers can easily reach the second operating member in a condition where the user is holding the hold sections. As a result, operability of the operating device can be enhanced.

Abstract: A wearable sensor apparatus includes a band shaped and sized to be worn on a finger or limb of a user, a plurality of sensor coils configured to detect a magnetic field. A processor configured to calculate a position of the wearable sensor apparatus based upon signals from the plurality of sensor coils, and a communication module configured to transmit the position of the wearable sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A game system includes a game device at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit, an input unit and a send unit; a display device, integrally formed with the game device or separately formed from the game device, at least including an input unit connected to the game device and a display unit; and a data processing apparatus at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit and a receive unit, wherein the control unit of the game device causes a game to progress by executing a game program, and controls the send unit to send a signal to the data processing apparatus when a predetermined condition is satisfied in accordance with a progression status of the game, and wherein in the data processing apparatus, when the receive unit receives the signal, the control unit performs a predetermined process based on the signal.

Abstract: A game system is disclosed. The game system includes a computer, a display device and an operation device. The computer is configured to run a game, the display device is configured to display a game image, and the operation device is configured to input an operation command into the computer. A vibrator is provided in the display device and/or the operation device. The computer is further configured to send a vibration signal to the display device and/or the operation device according to game information, so as to drive the vibrator to generate vibration. According to the above game system, the display device and the operation device such as mouse or keyboard may generate vibration by means of the vibrator, according to game information, present vibration sensing and tactile for a player, thereby enabling the player to be more personally on the scene in the game.

Abstract: Setting up a multiplayer gaming session, including: initiating a multiplayer gaming session; selecting at least one invitee; retrieving a list of games for each invitee of the selected at least one invitee; combining the list of games for each invitee into a merged list of games; sorting the merged list of games by most commonly owned; selecting a game from the merged list of games for the multiplayer gaming session; and sending an invitation to the multiplayer gaming session to each invitee of the selected at least one invitee.

Abstract: A method for setting up a multiplayer gaming session, the method including: initiating a multiplayer gaming session by a host computing device; generating a list of games and selecting a game from the list of games on the host computing device; determining a list of invitees; generating a group of game configuration options for the selected game by the host computing device; sending a preliminary invitation to the multiplayer gaming session to each invitee of the list of invitees; launching the selected game on an invitee computing device of each invitee of the list of invitees; selecting game configuration options from the generated group of game configuration options; sending a final invitation to the multiplayer gaming session to each invitee of the list of invitees.

Abstract: A server apparatus, method, and program are provided that are capable of causing information about the real world to be reflected in the virtual world of a game. First, a server apparatus receives a signal including at least one of location information sent from a terminal apparatus or specific point-to-point distance information calculated based on the location information. Next, the server apparatus, based on at least one of the location information or the distance information, calculates a cumulative distance between a plurality of other points through which the terminal apparatus has passed in the real world. Next, the server apparatus sets a reward to be granted to the terminal apparatus in accordance with the cumulative distance. This makes it possible, for example, to cause an online game to be closely correlated with the daily life of the user, and to arouse the interest of users in the online game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression by an online video game service is provided. One example method includes receiving user input by a server and the user input is received from a client device over a network established between the client device and the server. The user input is from an input device associated with the client device and the client device and the input device are used to access the server to play a video game. The method further includes executing the video game on the server while receiving user input from the input device, and the video game produces a video output including a sequence of video images of the video game.

Abstract: Provided are a control apparatus, a control method, a program, and an information storage medium that are configured, if an execution of processing based on speech recognition is disabled, to make a user recognize that, if recognition of an accepted speech is successful, the execution of processing based on speech recognition is disabled. A speech acceptance block accepts a speech. An execution block executes processing according to a result of recognition of the speech. An output control block executes control so that information indicative that execution of processing based on speech recognition is disabled is outputted. In accordance with success in the recognition of the speech, one of the execution of the processing according to the result of the recognition of the speech and the output control of the information indicative that the execution of processing based on speech recognition is disabled is executed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus displays an image on a display, directly communicates wirelessly with another information processing apparatus, and also receives a plurality of operation input data from a plurality of operation devices. Then, the information processing apparatus performs game processing for a communication game based on the plurality of operation input data and received information, and based on the game processing, generates, by screen splitting, game images including images on which operations on the plurality of respective operation devices are reflected, and causes the game images to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus performs predetermined game processing based on operation inputs from a plurality of operation devices and generates a game image based on the game processing. Then, in accordance with the number of the operation devices used for the game processing, the information processing apparatus generates a game image for multiplayer play using a split screen, and performs a restriction process for, in a case where an output destination to which the game image is to be output is a display, placing a restriction so that multiplayer play is not performed by players exceeding a predetermined number of players, and in a case where the output destination to which the game image is to be output is an external display, not placing the restriction.

Abstract: A computer performs a process for displaying an object string and a player object within a game screen, the object string including a main object, and at least one sub-object that is connected to the main object, the player object being an object that can be operated by a player, and virtual walls that limit a moving direction of each of the main object, the sub-object and the player object being provided within the game screen. The motion of the player object within the game screen is controlled in response to an operation performed by the player. The motion mode of the object string is switched from a first mode to a second mode or a third mode based on a given condition, the second mode being a mode in which the object string is inferior as compared with the first mode, and the third mode being a mode in which the main object is superior as compared with the first mode.

Abstract: A game program causes a computer apparatus to function as: a specifier that specifies an object placed in a field according to a player's operation instruction; an event generator that generates, in a case where a predetermined object corresponding to a predetermined event is specified, the predetermined event; a displayer that changes a display mode of a specified object or a field corresponding to the specified object according to a positional relationship between a position of the specified object and a position of the predetermined object for display; an effect generation enabler that makes a predetermined effect in a game generable according to a history of a game until the predetermined object is specified or a progressing situation of the game; and an effect generator that generates a generable effect.

Abstract: The present invention causes a computer to function as a virtual space generating unit, a game screen displaying unit and a fluid displaying unit. The fluid displaying unit displays pseudo three-dimensional representation of fluid in a virtual space on a game screen. And the fluid displaying unit includes a two-dimensional data acquiring unit for acquiring two-dimensional data including a two-dimensional map by processing at least part of the surface of a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional manner and a simulating unit for simulating a flow of the fluid on the two-dimensional map and displaying a simulating result on the surface of the object. The two-dimensional map includes height information of each point on the surface of the object. The simulating unit simulates the flow of the fluid on the two-dimensional map based on the height information.

Abstract: The present invention causes a computer to function as a virtual space generating unit, a game screen displaying unit and a fluid displaying unit. A fluid displaying unit displays pseudo three-dimensional representation of fluid in virtual space on a game screen. And the fluid displaying includes a billboard setting unit and a two-dimensional simulation unit. A billboard setting unit sets a billboard which has a plain object and which rotates around a predetermined center point in the plain object so that the plain object faces the virtual camera in the virtual space. A two-dimensional simulation unit executes a two-dimensional simulation and displays a simulation result on the plain object.

Abstract: The present invention causes a computer to function as a virtual space generating unit, a game screen displaying unit and a fluid displaying unit. A fluid displaying unit displays pseudo three-dimensional representation of fluid in virtual space on a game screen. And the fluid displaying includes a model setting unit, a polygon mesh setting unit and a fluid setting unit. The model setting unit sets a predetermined linear model on the virtual space and moves a basis portion of the linear model to a predetermined direction, and moves the linear model to follow virtual points which are shot from the basis portion at intervals and which move to follow a predetermined track including the basis portion as a starting point.

Abstract: The game processor consumes paints of a plurality of colors to execute an attack in the game, reflects an effect of the attack in the game, and decreases possession paints according to consumption of the paints. The game processor consumes the paints of the plurality of colors according to consumption ratios determined for the attack to be executed and executes the attack. When at least one of the parameters necessary for the action to be executed is insufficient, the game processor changes the consumption ratios of the paints of the plurality of colors and executes the action. When the consumption ratios change, the game processor generates a game screen different from a game screen when the consumption ratios do not change. When the consumption ratios change, the game processor reflects an effect different from an effect when the consumption ratios do not change in the game.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated program synthesis from a natural language for domain specific computing applications. In one embodiment, a natural language processor may be configured to parse words from a sentence of text formed in a natural language, such as English, following a grammatical structure for the natural language. The words may be compared to a dictionary to identify a token. The text formed in the natural language may be converted to an intermediate format of programming code in a programming language, such as C, where the intermediate format includes the token. The token may invoke a function or a routine of a library written in the programming language. The intermediate format may be compiled into executable program code to generate an application, such as a video game, for execution.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for a wearable band adapted to be worn by a user. The wearable band may include one or more biometric sensors such as a pulse monitor adapted to monitor a pulse of the user, and a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit pulse information from the pulse monitor to a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or PDA. The wearable band does not include a display for the biometric information. Numerous additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating messages within online games are described. One of the methods includes receiving a message post from a first user. The message post is displayed on an in-game object that is configured for sharing message posts between the first user and other users. The method further includes detecting an interfacing action by a second user with the in-game object. The interfacing action is an input that is responsive to request content that is part of the message post. The method further includes validating the interfacing action to meet a threshold. If the threshold is met, the virtual game object is credited to the game space of the first user. The method includes generating a reward to the second user when the interfacing action is validated. The reward is credited to a game space of the second user.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for forming an artificial wave (W) in a water environment, which comprises a pulling apparatus (6), a pulled apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) and a pulling arrangement (11), wherein the pulling apparatus (6) comprises a power pack (12) and the pulled apparatus (10) comprises a wave-forming profile (13), wherein the pulling arrangement (11) comprises at least two pulleys (14, 15) and at least one rope or line (16) provided at or via both ends of the pulled apparatus (10) and further via the pulleys (14, 15) for providing the movement of the pulled apparatus (10) between a first pulley (14) and a second pulley (15). According to the invention, the wave-forming profile (13) comprises at least two wings (1, 2), of which at least one wing (1, 2) is mainly transverse relative to the direction of advancement (A) of the pulled apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

Abstract: An underwater mobile observatory system comprising an aquarium able to hold water and large enough to support fish, coral, and to display artificial objects such as shipwrecks and ruins, a vehicle track extending through the aquarium the track generally being adjacent the bottom of the aquarium, the track having a portion which rises to a loading/unloading position, and a passenger vehicle coupled to the track for movement therealong and unable to leave the track such that changes in inclination of the track causes the vehicle to move up and down through water in the aquarium, the passenger vehicle having a main body portion to seat passengers and which is capable of being submerged, and a top portion which is open to the air, the spacing between the hack and the water level being controlled such that water does not pass over the top portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a tornado yoyo, including two rotating disks and a connecting axle configured to connect back portions of the two rotating disks, in which a protruding cylinder provided with a bearing thereon is disposed in the rotating disk and located in the middle of the rotating disk; a rotating cap is disposed outside the rotating disk and provided with a connecting hole portion extending from the middle of the rotating cap to the rotating disk, and the connecting hole portion is sleeved on the bearing to realize a rotation of the rotating cap relative to the rotating disk; and an outer edge of the rotating cap is provided with an edgefold configured to envelop an edge of the rotating disk, so that when the yo-yo is held or pinched in a forward direction, the rotation of the rotating disk will not be influenced.

Abstract: A figure with a custom cover is provided herein. More specifically, provided is a custom cover for a figure comprising a heat-shrinkable, generally transparent, sheet sized and shaped for covering a figure, and the sheet receptive to ink and paint for decorating the figure. Also provided herein is a method for customizing a figure comprising decorating a custom cover, the custom cover being generally transparent and colorable, positioning the custom cover around the figure, and heat shrinking the custom cover to the figure to attach the cover to the figure. Further, provided herein is a kit for customizing a figure comprising a figure, a custom cover sized and shaped for covering the figure, the custom cover being colorable, a coloring agent for coloring the custom cover, and a tool for applying the coloring agent to the custom cover.

Abstract: A motorized toy system includes a toy implement that may be manipulated. The toy implement has a bin and an auger chute. The auger chute is hingedly coupled to the toy implement. The auger chute is positionable between a deployed position and a stored position. The bin may contain particles. A dispensing unit is coupled to the toy implement. The dispensing unit is operationally coupled between the bin and the auger chute. Thus, the dispensing unit may selectively urge the particles outwardly from the auger chute.

Abstract: A support assembly for a vehicle includes at least two spherical tires travelling on a road surface and rotating relative to the road surface and the vehicle and a drive system magnetically driving rotation of the tires relative to the drive system itself such that no portion of the drive system physically contacts the tires or the road surface. The tires each have an outer tread layer comprising a material having a first stiffness when dry and a second stiffness when wet, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness.

Abstract: The invention relates to set of building blocks including inflatable blocks; means for connecting the inflatable blocks and a valve for inflating or deflating the inflatable blocks. The means for connecting the inflatable blocks is magnetic strip which provide sufficient adhesive force for holding the blocks together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction unit configured to interlock with other construction units to create a variety of different shapes.

Abstract: A cost effective, structural building set, suitable as a toy, uses post connectors (10) comprised of a post (12) with attached disks (14), or similar devices that insert into cutouts (31) in geometric shaped component parts (30, 80, 180). More than one component part can be connected to the same post connector, and such component parts can rotate relative to the post axis. The connector design allows construction of stable structures of many sizes, shapes, and types, and readily facilitates hinging between different sections of such assembled structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a divided wall column, comprising: a column shell; a divided wall provided vertically inside the column shell, defining a divided wall section between an upper edge and a lower edge of the divided wall; and a liquid distributor provided within the divided wall section, characterized in that, the liquid distributor is fixed only to the column shell but not to the divided wall. By using the divided wall column of the present invention, a defect involved in conventional divided wall columns, i.e. a maldistribution of fluid over mass transfer elements caused by a manufacturing defect of the divided wall resulted from its manufacturing process and/or a deformation thereof under operation conditions, can be minimized or even avoided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processes are provided for a condenser including flowing a vapor stream including formaldehyde into a tube bundle in a vertical upflow reflux condenser, where a tube in the tube bundle has a length to outside diameter ratio of greater than about 170:1, flowing a cooling fluid on a shell-side of the vertical upflow reflux condenser to condense at least a portion of the vapor stream, where the condensed portion of the vapor stream forms a wetted tube internal surface area on each tube in the generally upright tube bundle; and maintaining the vapor stream velocity at a rate that provides a liquid residence time where formaldehyde condensed on the wetted internal surface area of each tube can react with water to form methylene glycol, removing at least sixty percent (60%) of formaldehyde from the vapor stream fed to the condenser.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process and system are used for separation of multi-component fluid mixtures. The separation process and system may include establishing, in a fluid flow within the system, a concentration distribution of the fluid mixture components based upon the components' relative affinities to the adsorbent. The concentration distribution could be establishing using a simulated moving bed system, wherein it is possible to maintain separately-identifiable portions of the fluid flow, respectively rich in strongly-adsorbing, intermediately-adsorbing, and weakly-adsorbing compounds of the fluid mixture. An intermediate raffinate of high purity in the intermediately-adsorbing compound is directly withdrawn from the portion of the fluid flow rich in intermediately-adsorbing compound(s), providing a single-stage adsorptive separation of a compound having intermediate affinity to the adsorbent.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system and device are provided. One method useful in the present invention includes contacting a non-aqueous hydrazine solution with a carrier gas and/or vacuum and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrazine to a critical process or application. One chemical delivery system and device useful in the present invention includes a non-aqueous hydrazine solution having a vapor phase that is in contact with a process carrier gas and/or vacuum. One device useful in the present invention includes a chamber for containing a liquid comprising at least one volatile process chemical, such as a non-aqueous hydrazine solution, a hydrogen peroxide solution, or another suitable process chemical, in fluid communication with a permeable or semi-permeable membrane from which the volatile process chemical can be drawn using a carrier gas and/or vacuum.

Abstract: Inlet and outlet connections of a well manifold connect to integrated piping of a unitary vessel on a skid. The unitary vessel defines an interior separated into two chambers by a barrier. One chamber has a test inlet for well testing operation, and the other chamber has a production inlet for production operation. Each of the chambers is in communication with a gas outlet for gas, a water outlet for water, and a condensate outlet for condensate. Each of the chambers has a weir plate disposed in the chamber and separating the water outlet on a waterside of the weir plate from the condensate outlet on a condensate-side of the weir plate adjacent the barrier. During use, the second chamber can be isolated so well testing operation can be performed using the first chamber. Also, the first chamber can be isolated so production operation can be performed using the second chamber.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone vibration measurement system includes an upper vibration sensor attached to the overflow of a hydrocyclone and a lower vibration sensor attached to the underflow of the hydrocyclone. A vibration analysis system includes an ADC, an overall vibration value processing channel, and one or more band pass filters. The overall vibration value processing channel generates overflow and underflow scalar vibration values representing overall vibration measured at the overflow and underflow portions of the hydrocyclone. The vibration analysis system may interface with a DCS to provide control information for controlling the hydrocyclone based on the overflow and underflow scalar vibration values.

Abstract: An underdrain apparatus and a method for manufacturing such apparatus are provided. The underdrain apparatus can be extruded in long sections as a unitary part. The underdrain apparatus may be extruded in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Further, the underdrain apparatus may include a passageway for transporting water to and from the filter media and/or air to the filter media. In some embodiments, apertures are formed in the underdrain apparatus during an extrusion process to provide a path between the passageway and the filter media.

Abstract: Device for filtering rolling oil, including: a tank having an inlet for the oil to be filtered, as well as a lid having at least one plate element, or a plurality of plate elements, removably stacked in the internal volume of the tank, able to be removed from the tank via the upper opening of the lid, each of the plate elements removably receiving filtration cartridges, each of the hollow plate elements constituting a collector for oil filtered by the cartridges of said plate element, each of the plate elements comprising a filtered oil outlet removably connected to a corresponding outlet of the tank via a connector. According to the invention, there are between one and three plate elements, the total number of filtration cartridges of the device is between 500 and 3000 cartridges, and is suitable to allow a nominal filtration flow of between 1000 L/min and 4000 L/min.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes a water tank, a water filtration media, and an ozone gas source. A control system operates a service mode of the water treatment system during which an external water source is filtered by the filtration media. The control system also operates a regeneration mode of the water treatment system for regenerating the filtration media. The regeneration mode includes a first backwash mode to backwash the filtration media with the external water source. The regeneration mode includes a draw mode subsequent to the first backwash mode to draw ozone into the water tank and into contact with the filtration media. The regeneration mode includes a second backwash mode subsequent to the draw mode to expel ozone from the water tank and the filtration media prior to switching the system back into the service mode for filtration of the water source with the regenerated filtration media.

Abstract: An apparatus having a bottom assembly with a fitting for interfacing to connect the bottom assembly to a second structure, having an elastic element that, when sufficient force is applied via the process of mating the bottom assembly to the second structure, and at an appropriate pressure value, passes from a first stable position, through a threshold, and to a second position, creating a tactile or audible indication that the apparatus has been properly installed.

Abstract: A filter element for a filter device of an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The filter element for filtering a fluid of the internal combustion engine can be inserted in the direction of an insertion axis along a lateral wall of a filter housing. The filter element has at least one sealing element for fluidically blocking at least one throughflow opening formed in the lateral wall.

Abstract: Provided is a granular filtration media comprising a mixture of granular filtration media and less than 5% of nanofibers based on the dry weight, method of making the same and uses of the same for removing contaminants from water, including metals, heavy metals, synthetic or natural organic matters, colloidal or suspended particles to improve the chemical safety and purity of water for the purpose of water purification, specifically, one embodiment of the present invention disclosed is use of the granular filtration media to remove particulate lead from high pH water.

Abstract: An improved stretchable filtration fabric laminate is provided. The laminate includes a first fabric layer and a nanofiber layer. The laminate may be stretched without damaging the laminate. The laminate is thus suitable for incorporation into wearable protective garments, such as protective hoods, balaclavas, scarves, etc. that provide both protection and air filtration to the wearer.

Abstract: A sintered metal object comprises metal fibers in a nonwoven web arrangement. The metal fibers comprise stainless steel fibers having a duplex microstructure. The duplex microstructure is a mixed microstructure of austenite and ferrite. The stainless steel fibers are bonded at at least part of their contacting points by means of sinter bonds.

Abstract: An ash-collecting and exhaust device for a grain dryer has a body, a fan unit, and a driving unit. The body is a hollow barrel, and has an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal surface being divergent adjacent to the air inlet. The fan unit is rotatably mounted in the body to enable external air to flow into the body via the air inlet and flow out of the body via the air outlet, and has an external surface being obliquely divergent to form an oblique passage between the body and the fan unit. The driving unit is securely mounted on the body, is connected to the fan unit to enable the fan unit to rotate relative to the body to guide the external air flowing into the body.