Abstract: A golf training device is described, and which forms an aiming point which is directed towards a golf ball by the correct positioning of a golfer's head and body, and wherein the aiming point assists the golfer in positioning and maintaining the golfer's head and body in an appropriate orientation relative to the golf ball so that the golfer may continually view the aiming point which is directed towards the golf ball through at least a portion of the golf swing of a golfer to strike the golf ball and thereby achieve improved golfing performance.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a ball delivery system and method, and more particularly to a ball delivery system where the axis of rotation of the ball delivered from the system can range from perpendicular to the direction of motion of the ball to parallel to the direction of motion. This invention also permits a user to enter information related to the speed and axis of rotation of the ball. This invention also permits information related to the speed and axis of rotation of the ball to be determined from a video of a ball.

Abstract: The invention is generally a system that enables a user to visually and graphically track their fitness goals using an interactive device connected to a server, wherein fitness progress data of the user is stored and made available to the user via a user interface, for example on a mobile device application or a webpage. The system of tracking fitness progress comprises a server, a database, and a device, for example a fitness booth, for taking images and gathering fitness progress data from a user. The information gathered at the fitness booth, including images, is stored in the database. Users are provided a graphical user interface to update and access their fitness progress data, thereby facilitating the user's tracking of their fitness progress.

Abstract: A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112), normally appears along it as a principal color, and includes pressure-sensitive color-change structure (132) and pressure-spreading structure (242) having an internal pressure-spreading surface (244). An object (104) impacts the zone at an object-contact area (116). The pressure-spreading structure spreads pressure of the impact along a distributed-pressure area (256) of the pressure-spreading surface. A segment (142) of the pressure-sensitive color-change structure responds to the excess internal pressure along the distributed-pressure area by causing an impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region to temporarily appear along a print area (118) of the zone as changed color materially different from the principal color if the excess internal pressure meets excess internal pressure criteria.

Abstract: A skate including a bridge member, and a blade assembly pivotably coupled to the bridge member about a transverse axis. The blade assembly is capable of pivoting relative to the bridge member. The skate is operable in a first mode of operation during a predetermined interval, and a second mode of operation after the predetermined interval. The skate is configured to automatically transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Sliding board (1), whose internal structure has a core (2) edged with side ski edges (10), said core (2) separating two lower (3) and upper (4) reinforcing layers, in which core (2) includes at least additional component (20) made of material with greater flexibility than the remainder of the core, characterised in that said additional component is inserted into a slender hollow (21, 22) shaped to curve inside the core.

Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a platform having a first foot deck portion to substantially support a first foot of a rider, and a second foot deck portion to substantially support a second foot of the rider. A wheel assembly is positioned between the first foot deck portion and the second foot deck portion along a longitudinal axis of the platform, and comprises a wheel having a rotation axis that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a motor unit driving the wheel. An orientation sensor senses the orientation of the platform. A controller receives data from the orientation sensor and controls the motor unit in response to the received data. At least one suspension interface between the platform and the wheel assembly has a single degree of freedom generally orthogonal to the rotation axis of the wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and biases the platform towards a rest position.

Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.

Abstract: A game board assembly is disclosed herein. The game board assembly includes a foldable game board and a plurality of mounts. The foldable game board has a main portion and a plurality of peripheral edge portions that surround the main portion. The game board has a planar configuration where the main portion and the plurality of peripheral edge portions are positioned to be substantially co-planar with one another. The peripheral edge portions are selectively foldable to be non-planar with respect to the main portion. The mounts are each configured to engage the game board in the planar configuration. The mounts are configured to releaseably mount to a surface.

Abstract: A target game including at least one target and at least one projectile. The at least one target is constructed of a flexible and self-supporting material. The at least one target is able to be configured in a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the at least one target is generally planar. In the second orientation, the at least one target is generally conical.

Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.

Abstract: An example recording medium records an information processing program causing an information processing apparatus to operate as: a reading part reading a game program capable of being executed by any other information processing apparatus having a configuration different from that of the information processing apparatus and execution situation information indicating an execution situation at a given execution position of the game program; an emulation part, by using the execution situation information, emulating the game program with starting at the given execution position; a judgment part judging an execution situation of the game program to be emulated; and a changing part, when it is judged that the execution situation of the game program satisfies a condition set forth in advance, changing an execution status of the emulation part.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an input device attachment is provided and, more specifically, for some embodiments an input device attachment is provided that is combinable with a computer or video game controller. For example, various embodiments provide attachments for handheld video gaming devices configured to control electronic devices, such handheld video gaming devices including without limitation computer controllers, video game console controllers, and handheld video gaming devices. Various embodiments of the invention comprise an attachment comprising an input mechanism that may augment an existing input mechanism of an input device or add an additional input mechanism to the input device. Additionally, some embodiments may augment an exterior structure, or a surface of the input device.

Abstract: A computer graphics display system such as a video game system provides virtual camera 3-D viewpoint panning control based on a pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a virtual camera panning control region, the system automatically pans the virtual camera toward the pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a different region, panning is deactivated and the user can freely move the cursor (e.g., to control the direction a weapon is pointed) without panning the virtual camera viewpoint. Flexible viewpoint control and other animated features are provided based on a pointing device such as a handheld video game optical pointing control. Useful applications include but are not limited to first person shooter type video games.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium that, in one embodiment, interprets a user motion sequence comprises beginning a session, capturing the user motion sequence via a motion capturing device during the session, processing, via a processor, the user motion sequence into a predetermined data format, comparing the processed user motion sequence to at least one predetermined motion sequence stored in a database and determining whether to perform at least one of interpreting the user motion sequence as a universal command and registering the user motion sequence as a new command.

Abstract: An object-motion detection method includes extracting, from each of a first image representing a detection-target object and generated by an imaging unit and a second image representing the detection-target object and generated after the first image by the imaging unit, an object area including the detection-target object, obtaining, for each of the first image and the second image, a reference point indicating a boundary between a moving part of the detection-target object and a fixed part of the detection-target object, the moving part moving when the detection-target object performs a certain motion, the fixed part not moving compared to the moving part when the detection-target object performs the certain motion, and obtaining, for each of the first image and the second image, a position of the moving part of the object area in a first area locating on a side including the moving part with respect to the reference point.

Abstract: An electronic competitive challenge is disclosed. A prompt is presented to a group of participants. A computer system with a speech recognition module listens for multiple, simultaneous speech utterances from the group of participants. Each speech utterance is decoded, assigned a priority or timing, and associated with one of the participants. Based on the priority or timing, the content of the utterances, and a predefined rule set, one of the participants is identified as the competitive challenge winner. The prompt may be an electronic image, and the utterances may relate to a concept associated with or reflected in the image. The image may be drawn by a human and presented in a visual sequence that tracks its original creation, or it may be an image that is automatically degraded using image processing to disguise its content.

Abstract: In order to reduce influences of light from indoor lighting equipment or the like on the accuracy in detecting the position of an operating device, an operating device includes: left and right hold sections to be held by a user, each of which is provided with an operating member at an upper surface thereof; a central section which is a section between the left and right hold sections; and a light emitting surface adapted to emit light to be captured by an information processing apparatus through a camera, the light emitting surface provided at a front surface of the central section. The central section includes a portion which is located over the light emitting surface and is located on a more forward side than the light emitting surface.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for engaging users during play by presenting one or more images provided by a mobile computing device. The system includes a projector configured to visually output the one or more images delivered by the computing device. The system also includes a mount for supporting the projector, and at least one lens that is coupled to the projector. The system further includes a housing having at least a first and second illuminable surface that can receive images projected by the projector. The surfaces can be moved between a collapsed condition and an operative condition.

Abstract: A game system executes a game that progresses in response to action commands issued on a plurality of electronic devices. When a first action command has been issued on a first electronic device, the system notifies a second electronic device, which is different from the first electronic device, of the issuance of the action command on the first electronic device. The system also sets a first time period until an action triggered by the first action command is reflected in the game, and after the elapse of the first time period from the time based on the first action command, reflects the action triggered by the first action command in the game executed by the second electronic device.

Abstract: A wireless communication game system includes a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, which function as a parent device or a child device and are capable of making a communication with each other, and broadcasts from the parent device a parent device packet including a parent device PID, a user name UserName, a game name GameName, an OC flag, an E slot, a U slot, and a payload. All the parent device packets are received from the parent device existing within a communicationable range of a user's own apparatus, and the user's own apparatus creates a parent device list, and displays the parent device list on an LCD. Therefore, a user or a player of his own apparatus looks at the game name of the parent device list, for example, and operates a cross key included in an operation key so as to select one desired parent device.

Abstract: A game device controls a first virtual camera and a second virtual camera so that the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera are situated within an object space to be point-symmetrical, line-symmetrical, or plane-symmetrical with respect to a reference point, a reference line, or a reference plane that is defined by a first position linked to a first character and a second position linked to a second character. The game device determines whether to display the object space photographed by the first virtual camera or the object space photographed by the second virtual camera as a game image based on a selection instruction issued by a player.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in response to the change of the menu hierarchy, it is possible to diversify the BGM easily. First, BGM 1, BGM 2, and BGM 3 (hereinafter the BGM 1, 2, and 3) that are the same piece of music performed with different sounds are played back simultaneously. Only the volume of the BGM 1 is turned up and the volume of the BGM 2 and 3 are turned down to mute. Next, in response to the change of the menu hierarchy, the volume of the BGM 1 is muted and the volume of one of the muted BGM 2 or 3 is turned up.

Abstract: A method for real time processing of images providing a real time preview of face images for interaction with a game environment. Images from one or more image sensors are processed providing a modified image of a certain size and certain shape, for algorithmically detecting and tracking faces in the modified image for a real time preview of face images overlaid on a game environment. The real time preview of face images is configured for user control for interaction with the game environment. A facial gesture control functionality is disclosed for the execution of game commands allowing control of the real time preview of a face images for interaction with the game environment. The method of the present invention further discloses real time processing of images from a second image sensor for a real time preview of a second face images for interaction with the game environment.

Abstract: There are provided a game system, and a controlling method and a readable storage medium for a game system increasing opportunity of matching a plurality of users in a virtual game space. Present invention has a game control module (41), a difficulty setting module (42), and a participation accepting module (43). The game control module (41) generates the virtual game space, progresses the game, and controls actions of characters acting correspondingly to the operation input by at least one of users joining a session. The difficulty setting module (42) sets a difficulty of the game based on a first character. The participation accepting module (43) accepts a request from a second user for joining the game, wherein the participation accepting module allows the second user to join the session, and wherein the second user operates a second character whose difficulty is different from the difficulty set for first character.

Abstract: A management server issues a token associated with friend network identification information identifying a user of a game provided by an application server, to the application server; receives the token passed from the game to another game on the basis of an operation of the user in a terminal apparatus where the game and the other game are available, from an application server that provides the other game; and manages, in association with each other, the friend network identification information related to the game and friend network identification information related to the other game for which the issued token matches the received token.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that drives microtransactions in multiplayer video games. The system may include a microtransaction arrange matches to influence game-related purchases. For instance, the system may match a more expert/marquee player with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases of items possessed/used by the marquee player. A junior player may wish to emulate the marquee player by obtaining weapons or other items used by the marquee player.

Abstract: Systems end methods for online gaming including virtual placeholder items that be exchanged for virtual items of value based n a quantitative performance of the users relative other users in events that take place in the online game.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for processing replacements to a target array by a plurality of source arrays. Selected tokens in a target array may be replaced with corresponding tokens from a source array to generate a region of identical tokens, which may be processed or removed. Tokens in the target array may be shifted in a direction corresponding to the source array to fill empty cells within the target array and new tokens generated. Selections may be made from multiple source arrays iteratively, with shift directions dynamically modified.

Abstract: A recreational swing having a seating member to support one or more users thereon, and a suspension system that includes one or more bungee cords that permit the base seating portion to be suspended from a suspension point so as to dually function as a swing.

Abstract: An auto reset zip line assembly comprising a cable running along the circumference of two pulleys that are spaced apart forming a closed loop is provided. A pair of rigid frames are fixedly coupled to the cable at an equal distance from each other. The pulley includes a wheel having a rim that has a continuous trough along the circumference to retain the cable. The wheel is rotatably mounted on a shaft and the shaft is mounted to a hosing. The pulleys include a mechanism to suspend a zip line assembly between two vertical supports. The auto reset zip line assembly further comprises a braking mechanism and a pair of guarding plates coupled to the housing to prevent derailing and entangling of the cable. The invention is advantageous by providing a safe zip line assembly that obviated the need of returning a trolley to the starting point of the zip line.

Abstract: A virtual motion-acceleration spherical simulator includes an outer gyroscopic sphere, an inner gyroscopic sphere concentrically disposed relative to the outer gyroscopic sphere, and a spherical cockpit having eight quadrants. The cockpit has a display device, a full HD 3D projector, a curved screen simulating a windshield, a controller device, and a real vehicle dashboard. A first seat is provided for an operator in a first quadrant of the spherical cockpit and a second seat is provided for a navigator in a second quadrant of the spherical cockpit. Drive assemblies connected to the gyroscopic spheres impart longitudinal and lateral movement in two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: The wheeled riding device employs a frame system mounted to the bottom of the deck, independent suspension links pivotally connect to the wheel assemblies enabling four wheel independent suspensions. A centrally mounted steering and suspension pivot, provides both steering control and suspension attachment for the shock and spring. The device is controlled by the rider using body movement, and a hand held remote when electrically driven. Whether manually or electrically propelled the invention brings improvements in both steering and ride stability while riding over adverse terrain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-righting model vehicle.

Abstract: A simple, glue-free movable track model with a dual-pin structure comprises an intermediate connecting component (1), a track shoe (2), elastic pin bushes (58) and an auxiliary clamp, an elastic opening (50) is formed on a rotating shaft hole of the intermediate connecting component (1), and the intermediate connecting component (1) is spliced, in a snap-fit manner, with an intermediate rotating shaft (51) of the track shoe (2) through the elastic opening (50); back-off dowels (21) are arranged at the both ends of the track shoe (2) and are spliced with the elastic pin bushes (58) so that the elastic pin bushes (58) can be fit into the back-off dowels (21) and then securely engaged. The movable track model can realize one-time assembly, reduce manufacturing difficulty and improve manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle or toy vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises rotary drive means for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part. The system further comprises a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust, wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the rotor blades pass through the plane of the rotary drive means, inside the peripheral ground-engagement part. In this way, the rotor blades are protected by the peripheral ground-engagement part.

Abstract: A system of interconnected flexible supports are adapted for use with a mobile device operative by a mobile computing device such as a smart phone and/or tablet for controlled movement of the mobile device in a plurality of directions. The system includes a plurality of flexible supports which may be magnetically coupled together to form a flexible layout having infinite configurations. The supports are configured to be self-aligned when coupled by the magnetic attraction between adjacent supports.

Abstract: Construction toy, characterised in that it primarily consists of a set of construction elements of rods (1) with magnetic ends, balls (2) and one or more preformed attachments (15) that can be suitably affixed to the rods (1), and which to this end have a fastening clip (18) with arms (19) of an elastic material that have at least one rib on each of the sides facing one another, whereby the rods have a primarily octagonal cross-section with diagonally opposite sides (8) that are linked together by other diametrically opposite sides (9) that each have a groove (10) in which the aforementioned ribs (21) can snap in place.

Abstract: A disk-like toy includes a resilient base, a flexible cover overlying the base, and a deflectable core disposed generally between the base and the cover. The base is affixed to at least one of the cover and the core.

Abstract: The invented system used in wet cooling tower, restore outlet fog of cooling tower into collection basin and consequently cooling water cycle. This invention consists of three main components; pump and its pertaining piping, waterfall and micron fog eliminator. In the first stage, the air containing fog is passed through a waterfall before exhausting. This action causes some portions of fog to condensate and fall down, remaining droplets of the fog grow and together with air cross the fog eliminator blades. Fog's droplets are entrapped between blades, leave the air, and restore to the tower. Therefore, humidity of exhausted air from tower will be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A cold trap includes a duct, which is for connecting a volume to be evacuated to a vacuum pump, and a cold panel surrounded by the duct. The duct includes an inlet flange at an evacuation target side and an outlet flange at a vacuum pump side. The outlet flange is arranged at a distance from the inlet flange in the extending direction of the duct. The inlet flange has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the outlet flange.

Abstract: A system for the production of a polycrystalline silicon product is disclosed. The system includes a reaction chamber, a susceptor, an induction unit, and a plurality of energy sources. The reaction chamber has a reactor wall, and the susceptor encircles the reactor wall. The induction heater surrounds the susceptor, and has multiple induction coils for producing heat in the susceptor. The coils are grouped into a plurality of zones. The plurality of energy sources supply electric current to the coils. Each energy source is connected with the coils of at least one zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a feed such as bitumen froth feed are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel having a top, side walls, and a base. An inlet delivers feed to the vessel interior whereby settling of the feed establishes a heavier phase zone in the vicinity of the base and a lighter phase zone above an interface with the heavier phase zone. The height/diameter ratio of the vessel, the dimensions and position of the inlet and the fluid properties of the feed are selected to allow a feed velocity of the feed discharging from the inlet into the interior to dissipate in the lighter phase zone as the discharged feed entrains lighter phases above the interface and spreads across the vessel interior such that the lighter phases of the feed separate up to an overflow outlet and the heavier phases separate down to an underflow outlet.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus whose interior is divided into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone. The filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and the filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via the filtering grains and a perforated member. The apparatus further includes a pressure reducing device in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof. The pressure reducing device is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone and separate filtration residues therefrom by the reduction of pressure conditions thereinside, and direct a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues to the upper portion of said filtering zone.

Abstract: A water filtration system that includes a filter manifold having a rotatable cover is provided. A filter cartridge is provided that includes a sump having a filter head integrally secured to a first end and cap releasably secured to a second end. A locking mechanism extending from the cover locks into the filter manifold to position the cartridge in an “in-use” state. The filter cartridge further includes two offset cylindrical inlet and outlet members protruding from the filter head that are designed to engage corresponding inlet and outlets of the filter manifold through a horizontal engagement mechanism. A check valve is positioned within the filter manifold adjacent the inlet of the filter cartridge to control fluid flow through the water filtration system. The filter cartridge head includes fins upwardly extending therefrom that are configured to engage corresponding slots formed in a plurality of corrugated channels of the filter manifold.

Abstract: A filter device includes a filter vessel with a fluid inlet for unfiltered liquid, a filter element in the filter vessel with a filter inlet communicating with the vessel and with a filter outlet, the filter outlet communicating via a cleaning duct and a cleaning valve with a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a cleaning chamber including a volume V0 of cleaning fluid and a pressure chamber at a starting pressure P0, communicating with the cleaning chamber for supplying cleaning fluid to the filter outlet, via the cleaning duct, a fluid supply line connected via a pump to the cleaning chamber for supplying a volume Vr of cleaning fluid to the cleaning chamber while the cleaning chamber is in open fluid connection with the pressure chamber and the cleaning valve is closed so that the pressure in the pressure chamber rises to at or about the starting pressure P0.

Abstract: A flow cap may include an outer ring, an inner ring, an inlet portion, and an outlet portion. The inlet portion may include first portions of the outer and inner rings, and a plurality of arms extending between the first portions of the outer and inner rings, wherein the arms at least partially define an inlet aperture configured to provide flow communication between an inlet port of a filter base and an interior portion of a filter element. The outlet portion may include second portions of the outer and inner rings, and a plate including an outlet aperture providing flow communication between an outlet port of the filter base and an exterior portion of the filter element. The outlet portion may also include a wall, wherein the plate and the wall prevent flow communication between fluid entering the inlet portion and fluid entering the outlet portion.

Abstract: A device for treating water having a cartridge, which includes a container for receiving treatment means and a connecting head. Furthermore, a connecting device is provided, which is equipped with a holder, a valve device, and a locking device. The holder has at least one side wall, on which the inflow and outflow openings are disposed. The valve device has a valve element, which surrounds the connecting head at least partially and is disposed movably in the holder. The associated cartridge provides at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening on at least one side surface. The cartridge has at least one recess and/or a lug for the engagement of a locking element of a locking device of the connecting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for a switchable filter assembly includes a first conduit coupled to a second and a third conduit, where a liquid has the ability to flow through the first conduit to the second conduit and the third conduit, and where the second conduit and the third conduit are arranged in parallel. A first assembly is capable of sliding inside the first conduit, such that a position of the first assembly determines an amount of liquid flowing to the third conduit. The first assembly includes a compressible member coupled to a first structure, where the first structure prevents the liquid from passing through the first conduit to the third conduit. An amount of compression of the compressible member coupled to the first structure is dependent on a pressure of the liquid flowing from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vane diffuser for separating a gas/liquid/particulate-mixture flow in a gas phase fraction and a liquid/particulate phase fraction, comprising: a distribution chamber holding a plurality of curved vanes and an inlet for the gas/liquid/particulate-mixture wherein the vane diffuser also comprises a cyclone pre-separator located before the distribution chamber. The invention also relates to a method for separating a gas/liquid/particulate-mixture.