Abstract: Provided is a golf ball is excellent in flight distance performance, approach performance, and feel at impact. A ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes an inner core 10 and an outer core 12. The cover 8 includes an inner layer cover 10 and an outer layer cover 12. An inner core volume Vc, a mid layer volume Vm, a mid layer hardness Hm, an inner layer cover volume Vinc, an inner layer cover hardness Hinc, an outer layer cover volume Vouc, an outer layer cover hardness Houc, and a ball volume V meet the following relational expressions (a) to (g): (a) Vc/V<0.07, (b) Hm>Hinc>Houc, (c) Hm?Houc>25, (d) Vm>Vinc>Vouc, (e) (Vm+Vinc+Vouc)/V<0.30, (f) Vm/Vouc>1.50, and (g) (Vm*Hm)/(Vouc*Houc)>3.0.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover, the core is formed of a rubber composition, has center and surface portions which are unfoamed regions and has an intermediate portion containing a foamed region. The core is produced by charging the rubber composition, which contains a blowing agent, into a first curing mold and curing under given conditions, then removing the molded rubber material in a semi-cured state from the first mold, transferring the semi-cured material to a second curing mold and curing under given conditions. The foamed region of the core deforms by a certain degree at the time of impact, decreasing the radius of gyration of the ball and enabling a lower spin rate to be achieved. The decrease in resilience due to expansion of the molded material can be held to a minimum.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a face, a club head body, and a hosel. The hosel has a tubular hosel body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a bore. The bore is configured to receive a golf club shaft or a shaft adapter. The tubular hosel body is molded from a polymeric material that includes a resin and a plurality of fibers, each fiber has a length of from about 0.01 mm to about 12 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of adjustable golf clubs comprising features which allow for the adjustment of a lie angle, a loft angle, or both a lie angle and a loft angle of the golf club. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes a body and a hosel, the hosel including an adjustment screw which can be tightened or loosened to adjust the lie and/or loft angles of a golf club head. In some embodiments, certain angles of a golf club head's geometry can be continuously adjustable through a predetermined range of angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head having a hollow body cavity, a hosel with a shaft-receiving bore that communicates with the hollow body cavity to form a continuous cavity structure, and a center of gravity located closer to the toe than to the heel. The iron-type golf club head preferably includes a face component with a striking face and a rear extending sole portion, and may also include supporting ribs within the continuous cavity structure, a hosel cutout covered by a cover made from a lower-density material than that of the hosel, and through-holes extending through a wall of the hosel.

Abstract: An adjustable shaft and hosel assembly allows for dependent and independent adjustment of a golf club's face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. The adjustable shaft and hosel assembly comprises a shaft sleeve, a hosel portion, a tubular adjustment piece having non-parallel upper and lower surfaces, and a retention feature that provides an engagement between the tubular adjustment piece and the shaft sleeve to prevent the tubular adjustment piece from becoming detached from the shaft sleeve.

Abstract: Embodiments of grooves of golf club heads and methods to manufacture grooves of golf club heads are generally described herein. The golf club heads include a club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a top rail and a sole. The golf club heads further include a plurality of grooves disposed on the club face between the top rail and the sole. Each groove extends between a heel end and a toe end. Depths of the grooves vary in a direction extending between the top rail and the sole and in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end. Widths of the grooves vary in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end.

Abstract: Golf club heads include at least one part having a side wall extending completely around the golf club head, wherein the side wall ends at an edge (a free end) that defines an open side of the part. An interior surface of this side wall has a draft angle of ?1° or more as it extends to its edge. In some club heads, the interior surface of at least one club head part will be shaped so that the interior surface does not converge as the side wall of that part extends to its edge. For some club head parts, the planar cross sectional area defined inside the interior surface of the part will either stay the same or get larger as one moves to the part edge. By avoiding or limiting features of negative draft angles, converging interior surfaces, and/or smaller cross sectional areas on interior surfaces of a part, manufacturing and tooling may be simplified.

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

Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a main body having a topline and an opposing sole. The main body includes a striking face extending between the topline and sole, and a rear face in opposed relation to the striking face. A sole body is proximate the rear face and extends at least partially along the sole. A peripheral flange extends at least partially about the rear face and is of a flange height, HF, relative to the rear face. A truss protrudes from the rear face and includes a at least a first truss arm which is of a first truss arm height, HT1, relative to the rear face, wherein the difference between HF and HT1 is less than about 0.25 mm.

Abstract: A composite material golf club head is provided having a body made from a first metal and a face insert press fitted to a portion of the body and made from a second metal The metals are chosen so that the first metal is heavier than the second metal. The second metal is disposed towards the front and top of the body, and is preferably hard-anodized. In addition, an interlocking structure, for example rectangular or dove tail shaped channels, is provided in the body so that the face insert becomes embedded in the interlocking structure to anchor the face insert to the body. Portions of the golf club head, such as the face insert or sole plate, are anodized to protect against corrosion. The anodized coating is colored to improve aesthetic characteristics or infused with a polymer to increase or reduce friction. Disclosed herein is a golf club head having a body portion and a face insert. The front of the body portion further comprises a cutout sized and dimensioned to receive the face insert.

Abstract: Iron-type golf club heads are disclosed having a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The iron-type golf club heads include a flexible boundary structure (“FBS”) that is provided at one or more locations on the club head. The flexible boundary structure may comprise, in several embodiments, a slot, a channel, a gap, a thinned or weakened region, or other structure that enhances the capability of an adjacent or related portion of the golf club head to flex or deflect and to thereby provide a desired improvement in the performance of the golf club head.

Abstract: Golf club heads include an exposed ball striking surface at a top-to-bottom center line of the ball striking face having a first material and a second material of different hardnesses. A top-to-bottom cross section of the exposed ball striking surface at the top-to-bottom center line of the ball striking face has a structure that includes a plurality of grooves including: (a) a first groove having a first edge made of the first material and a second edge made from the second material, and (b) a second groove having its opposing edges made of the first material.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising a channel and a sliding weight that can be reversibly fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The channel preferably is disposed on the sole and extends from a heel side of the golf club head, around a rear side, and ends at a toe side of the golf club head. This channel is not constrained to a planar arc, but instead twists as it extends around the golf club head so that it follows the contours, and preserves the aesthetics, of the golf club head. The slidable weight comprises a base portion and a first cap, and a second cap that has the same dimensions as, and is interchangeable with, the first cap is disposed in a pocket in the sole proximate the face of the golf club head.

Abstract: A golf tee that includes a stake that has an insertion end and a crown for supporting a golf ball. The crown is supported by the stake opposite the insertion end. The crown has a plurality of external prongs, a cup portion defined between the plurality of external prongs, and at least one internal post that extends from a base of the cup portion. The internal post is disposed on the base of the cup portion between the plurality of external prongs.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the motion of a sport ball that has been impacted by an individual during the course of an athletic activity includes the steps of a portable electronic device wirelessly receiving motion data from the sport ball, and the portable electronic device determining a point of impact based on the motion data, wherein the point of impact includes a location on a surface of the sport ball where the impact occurred.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine for martial arts training that simulates sparring with a live partner and provides a safe tool for body hardening. More specifically, the machine is a vertical alignment of three independently rotatable Alpha Bodies having detachable arms, a weighted base, and bearing interfaces, where each Alpha Body may rotate to initiate strikes via programmable servo motors. The present invention facilitates martial arts offensive strikes and defensive moves, which safely promotes the formation of calcium deposits and scar tissue about key nerve areas to give the body a hardened feel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a slalom racing gate monitor system are provided herein. A system includes a microcontroller; a first, second, and third sensor, each coupled to the microcontroller, the first, second, and third sensors each having a field of view and disposed on a slalom pole, and disposed where the fields of view of the first, second, and third sensors substantially cover a 360 degree field of view around the slalom pole; wherein the microcontroller is to: obtain a sequence of sensor readings from a plurality of sensors of the first, second, and third sensors, each reading in the sequence of sensor readings indicating an object detected in the field of view of the respective sensor; determine whether the object passed the slalom pole on a correct side; and present a notification of whether the object passed the slalom pole on the correct side.

Abstract: An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a camera coupled to a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor. Blockchain smart contracts can be used with the device to facilitate secure operation.

Abstract: A foot mountable golfing aid is operable to provide a reference path for a swing of a golfer, indicate a swing path, indicate a proper width of stance of a golfer, and/or aid in alignment of a golfer's body in relation to a target when the foot mountable golfing aid is mounted on the foot of a golfer. The foot mountable golfing aid includes a foot attachment component that is configured to be attached to a foot of a golfer, and a vertically adjustable reference component. The vertically adjustable reference component is supported by the foot attachment component. The vertically adjustable reference component is operable to provide a reference path for a swing of a golfer, indicate a swing path, indicate a proper width of stance of a golfer, and/or aid in alignment of a body of a golfer in relation to a target when the foot mountable golfing aid is attached to the foot of a golfer.

Abstract: A collapsible carrying case cover for use with board sports equipment having an expanded configuration and a fully collapsed configuration is described. The collapsible carrying case cover includes a cover that is configured to completely cover a bottom surface and edges of the board sports equipment and partially cover a top surface of the board. A peripheral edge continuously extends around the periphery of the cover and forms a channel that houses an elastic cord. The elastic cord is configured to draw the peripheral edge inwardly when in assembled relation to the board sports equipment. The cover may be held in place by a hook and loop type strap. The collapsible carrying case cover also includes a plurality of carrying handles and straps to facilitate multiple carrying modes. The collapsible carrying case cover is collapsible into a fully collapsed configuration when in unassembled relation to the board sports equipment.

Abstract: A rotary card shuffling and selection machine for use in playing a game of chance includes a wheel supported in a generally vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal rotary axis. The wheel is provided with a plurality of card positions arranged concentrically about the rotary axis. Each card position receives a card bearing indicia suitable to decide the game of chance. The cards are secured in card positions disposed around the wheel such they are oriented face up so that indica on the face of the card, which is relevant to the outcome of the game of chance, can be seen while the wheel is rotating.

Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.

Abstract: A board game comprises one or more game objects such as a game board and game pieces, at least one memory device and at least one controller. Each of the game objects comprise a globally unique identifier and dynamic characteristic values associated with the unique identifier, stored in the memory device, that define the characteristics/attributes of the corresponding game object when used in the game. A user is able to play the game by utilizing the game objects according to their characteristic values. During the course of game play, the events of the game are able to dynamically change the characteristic values of each game object affected by the event. Similarly, outside of game play, external events are also able to dynamically change the characteristic values of a game object. These characteristic values are able to be kept and updated during and in between games.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scratching device and in particular to a scratching device having an integrated light. The scratching device is a tool having a first end and a second end. A stylus and a retractable writing element can be at the first end of the tool. A scraper is at the second end of the tool. The scraper has first and second sides that can converge to form an edge. The scraper has an interior that encases a light. The light is diffused through the scraper, wherein the edge is illuminated. The first side of the scraper can be concave, and the second side can be convex.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses for improving efficiency in emulation. An emulated CPU receives inputs and generates a first set of frames. The frames are stored in a buffer on the emulator. Once all of the frames in the first set of frames have been produced, the contents of the buffer may be delivered to an emulated GPU. Each frame is then rendered by the emulated GPU. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A data communication restricted content providing device executes a program of game content, accepts operation input for the game content, controls the game content in accordance with operation input, generates, based on information of a changed progress condition of the game content, audio data indicating the progress condition, and plays back the audio data. An information processing device acquires an audio signal played back by the content providing device, extracts information of the progress condition from the audio signal, and outputs, to an external device, information of the progress condition.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: selecting in a server, a subset of a plurality users of an online environment for a first user, wherein when in said online environment, said first user interacts with one or more users of said subset of the plurality users.

Abstract: A game program causes a computer to implement a player character movement control function of controlling a player character to move from its home position toward a target movement position which has been set and, when a predetermined condition is met after the player character has moved to the set target movement position, controlling the player character to move from the current position to a second area including the home position.

Abstract: A wireless controller includes a handle portion to be held in one or both hands. The wireless controller also includes a gyroscope to output rotation information indicative of rotation of the handle about a steering axis, an accelerometer to output acceleration information, and a magnetometer to output magnetic bearing information. The wireless controller also includes a communication subsystem to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a computing device. The sensor data represents one or more of the rotation information, the acceleration information, and the magnetic bearing information such that the acceleration information is useable to attenuate gyroscopic drift when the handle has a first orientation and the magnetic bearing information is useable to attenuate gyroscopic drift when the handle has a second orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a dynamic user interface for interacting with computer applications by a user physically manipulating interactive floor tiles. The interactive floor tiles may be networked, and may use a communication bus 204 within the network for communicating the connection status of tiles in the network and/or any user input received by one or more tiles in the network. The tile network module may communicate data to a computer via a data collection module. The data collection module may be internal or external to the computer, and may be used to translate data from one communication format to another, for example, from RS485 framework to RS232 framework. The interactive floor tiles may be configured into various shapes at any time by a user, and the changes to the tiles may be mapped to the computer application screen in real-time.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and storage media for emulating physical gaming experiences are provided. In embodiments, a computing device or a remote play module may detect a first object in a field of view (FOV), obtain object data representative of a second object detected by another apparatus and a position of the second object, determine a position of the first object using the sensor data, generate an image of the second object based on the object data, generate an overlay image based on the first object or the second object, display the generated image at a position within the FOV based on the position of the second object, and display the overlay image within the FOV. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral includes a housing, a deformable substrate coupled to the housing to be moveable thereto, and a smart material actuator coupled to a surface of the deformable substrate. The smart material actuator produces a force that deforms the deformable substrate relative to the housing in response to the control signal from a processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The deformable substrate includes at least one user contact portion configured to contact the user and two opposing hinges. The deformable substrate also includes at least two stiff arms, each stiff arm extending between the user contact portion and one of the two opposing hinges. The stiff arms are relatively stiffer than the user contact portion and the hinges such that the deformable substrate is configured to increase the deformation of the deformable substrate relative to the housing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes the step of providing an online fantasy sports league. A user interacts with the online fantasy sports league via an application in a computing device. A list of automatic substitution designations is received from the user via the application with respect to a user's starting roster. A step includes determining that a player is ineligible to play in a game. It is determined that the player is on a user's starting roster or in a user's waiver wire. A step includes automatically select a substitute player for an ineligible starting player according a list of automatic substitution designations. The list of automatic substitution designations is stored in a memory of the computing device or an online fantasy sports league server. The user's team roster is automatically updated to include the substitute player in lieu of the ineligible starting player.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing remote gaming services are provided. One system includes a virtual machine for executing game logic that is configured to define game environments in response to game commands for client devices. The system also includes virtual drivers associated with the virtual machine, a non-virtual driver associated with a hardware graphics processing unit (GPU), and a shared memory. The GPU is configured to render video streams for the game environments. One or more dynamic encoding pipelines (DEPs) are used to retrieve the video streams from the shared memory and for encoding the video streams for communicating encoded video streams to the client devices.

Abstract: A computer generating a three-dimensional space and the images to be shown on a display: sets a first angle of view of the virtual camera; displays the image in accordance with the first angle of view; detects a position on the displayed image pointed to by the input device; calculates a straight line passing through the detected position and the virtual camera in the three-dimensional space; identifies an object intersecting the straight line; automatically sets a second angle of view of the virtual camera to zoom in and display the identified object, and displays the identified object using the display device from the perspective of the second angle of view.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling selection of one or more viewports from a scene representation are disclosed herein. In some aspects, scene configuration information including a position of at least one viewport relative to the scene may be received. Each of the at least one viewport may be associated with a streaming camera view. A scene representation may then be defined based, at least in part, on the scene configuration information. One or more viewport representations corresponding to each of the at least one viewport may be positioned within the scene representation, based, at least in part on, the scene configuration information. The scene representation, including the at least one viewport representation, may be displayed, for example, to a user. Each viewport representation may allow the respective streaming camera view associated with the corresponding viewport may to be displayed, such as by selection of each viewport representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for programmatically generating anamorphic images for presentation in a physical gaming suite (e.g., anamorphic images that are viewable without requiring any external wearable device) are disclosed herein. An example method includes: monitoring, using data received from one or more sensors, viewing characteristics associated with one or more game participants in the physical gaming suite. The method also includes: determining a viewpoint that is based on at least some of the monitored viewing characteristics. The method further includes: based on the viewpoint, generating a anamorphic image for presentation within the physical gaming suite. The method additional includes: providing, to the one or more display devices, data to present the anamorphic image within the physical gaming suite (e.g., near at least one physical object that is included within the physical gaming suite).

Abstract: Incorporating player-generated audio in an electronic game is disclosed. Incorporation may include receiving an audio clip from art electronic game player, applying a modification to the audio clip to generate a chant, associating the chant to the execution of an event in the electronic game, retrieving the chant when the event in the electronic game is executed, and initiating the play of the chant upon execution of the event in the electronic game.

Abstract: Measurement data is correlated to one or more probable user states. The measurement data is associated with a user of the computing device and received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Execution of an application running on the computing device is altered based on the probable user states. In another embodiment, probable user states for a user of a computing device are processed. The probable user states are indicative of a level or type of interaction of the user with the computing device. The probable user states are also determined based on analysis of measurement data received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Indications of the probable user states are provided during execution of an online application on a second computing device.

Abstract: A system and method implemented as computer-based, computer-executable instructions employing a computation engine with digital storage provide a virtual environment with personalized user profiles specifically adapted to cognitive abilities of the user to train the user for specified tasks, herein called microtasks. The set of microtasks include achievement criteria. The virtual environment is controlled through an engine that automatically adapts the set of user-profile-specific microtasks to achieve a set of learning goals. The engine may calculate and/or measure a set of qualities associated with one or more sub-profiles associated with a given user based on game-type performance by that user either in isolation or among a group of users. Sub-profiles may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: a personality profile, a neural link profile, and/or a motivation profile.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of synchronizing an online game, and a server device, that do not require centralized information management, reduce the processing burden on each device during online communication, and allow for continuation of processing in an offline environment. A method, according to the present disclosure, of synchronizing an online game that allows for transmission and reception of information related to game processing between a first client terminal and a second client terminal via a server includes: receiving, from the first client terminal connected online, first information related to game processing on the first client terminal; determining whether the first information is information that determines a game status; and storing the first information on the server and transmitting the first information to the second client terminal when the first information is determined to be information that determines the game status.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for server resource allocation for distributed games. In one example, a method includes allocating a first set of resources for a first player instance on a first server, a second set of resources for a second player instance on the first server, and a third set of resources for a third player instance on a second server. The method also includes comparing a first relationship strength defined between the first player instance and the second player instance with a second relationship strength defined between the first player instance and the third player instance. Further, the method includes distributing at least one of the first set of resources, the second set of resources, or the third set of resources between the first server and the second server based on a result of the comparing.

Abstract: A game controlling method in a social game in which a one-on-one match-up is conducted among registered users using one or more items selected from possession items. According to the game controlling method, a plurality of general items and a plurality of special items are stored in a database in advance, the general items being items which the registered users may possess, and the special items being items which a registered user belonging to a group may possess and a registered user not belonging to a group may not possess.

Abstract: A velocity sport boot system/velocity sport board for performing all-weather snowboarding activity. The velocity sport boot/board system includes a velocity sport boot assembly that provides a method of practicing snowboarding on a treadmill. The velocity sport boot assembly includes a boot liner, a boot body, and a plurality of ball bearing assemblies. The plurality of ball bearing assemblies further includes shock absorbing springs for user comfort on varying surfaces. An alternative embodiment of the velocity sport boot/board system uses a common snowboarding type boot affixed to a sport board assembly that includes a sport board base, coupling straps, and a plurality of ball bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A toy top includes a body and a shaft unit. The shaft unit includes a spinning shaft which includes projections that extend downward at a lower end of the spinning shaft.

Abstract: A toy top includes a pinion gear and a locking portion. A launcher includes a rack belt and a holder. The rack belt includes an elastically deformable belt portion on which rack teeth capable of intermeshing with the pinion gear are formed. The toy top is set to the holder by intermeshing the rack teeth with the pinion gear. A rotational force is then applied to the toy top by pulling the rack belt to rotate the pinion gear. A space is formed in the holder, which is disposed in a vicinity of an intermeshing portion of the rack teeth and the pinion gear. The space allows deformation of the belt portion so that the belt portion previously attached to the holder does not interrupt setting the toy top to the holder.