Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
  • Patent number: 9855466
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one layer or a plurality of layers, the core being formed of a material molded under heat from a rubber composition containing: (A) a base rubber, (B) an organic peroxide, and (C) water and/or a metal monocarboxylate. The core has a hardness profile which satisfies specific relationships between the JIS-C hardness at the core center (Cc), the JIS-C hardness at a position 10 mm from the core center (C10) and the JIS-C hardness at the core surface (Cs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Yuichiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9855467
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a great flight distance on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein when JIS-C hardness of the spherical core is measured at points located at distances of 0% (core center), 37.5%, 75.0% and 100% (core surface) from the core center of the spherical core, a hardness difference (Hs?Ho) between a surface hardness (Hs) thereof and a center hardness (Ho) thereof is 20 or more, a ratio ((H37.5?Ho)/(H75.0?Ho)) of a hardness difference (H37.5?Ho) to a hardness difference (H75.0?Ho) is 0.6 or less, and a compression deformation amount (D (mm)) of the spherical core and the 37.5% point hardness (H37.5) satisfy a relation of H37.5??9×D+95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ayaka Shindo, Chiemi Mikura, Ryota Sakamine, Sho Goji
  • Patent number: 9855468
    Abstract: An elastic spheroid structure includes a hollow elastic spheroid body having an elastic spheroid shell, a receiving space formed inside the elastic spheroid shell, and a through opening passing through the elastic spheroid shell and being in air communication with the receiving space. The through opening has a first predetermined shape, the through opening has a first middle portion and a plurality of first extending portions extended outwardly from the first middle portion, and the first predetermined shape of the through opening is formed by connecting the first middle portion and the first extending portions. The elastic spheroid structure further includes a solid elastic cover body disposed inside the through opening of the hollow elastic spheroid body and a connection layer disposed inside the through opening and connected between the elastic spheroid shell and the solid elastic cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GATEWAY CORP.
    Inventor: Sheng-Mou Huang
  • Patent number: 9855469
    Abstract: A sport ball includes a casing formed from a plurality of panels joined together at a plurality of seams. Each of the plurality of panels has (a) a first layer formed from a polymer material and positioned to form a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; (b) a second layer formed from a polymer foam material and positioned inward and adjacent to the first layer; (c) a third layer positioned inward and adjacent to the second layer; and a thickness. The first layer of at least one of the plurality of panels defines a first indentation therein. The first layer is bonded directly to the third at the first indentation, and the first indentation extends through an entirety of the thickness. The sport ball also includes a bladder located within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Berggren, Tal Cohen, Vincent F. White, Gary W. Glahn
  • Patent number: 9855470
    Abstract: A ball pit apparatus for use with a plurality of balls. The ball pit apparatus includes: a base portion configured to provide a ball pit for holding a plurality of balls, wherein the base portion includes one or more inflatable side walls configured to, when inflated, extend around a periphery of the base portion; a roof portion configured to provide a ball chamber for holding a plurality of balls above the base portion; one or more inflatable supports configured to, when inflated, hold the roof portion above the base portion; a suction inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the ball chamber so that, when suction is provided at the suction inlet, suction is also provided to the ball chamber; a ball inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the ball chamber so that, when suction is provided to the ball chamber, a ball received at the ball inlet is drawn into the ball chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Casdon Limited
    Inventor: Paul Cassidy
  • Patent number: 9855471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grommet strip for a racket for ball games, wherein the grommet strip comprises a longitudinal direction and a plurality of grommets 1 comprising grommet through-holes 2, wherein each of the grommets 1 defines a grommet axis A and each of the grommet through-holes 2 defines a hole axis B, wherein the grommet axes A and the hole axes B extend substantially parallel to each other and wherein the hole axes B of some grommets are offset with respect to the grommet axes A thereof in the longitudinal direction of the grommet strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Head Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Mohr, Christos Tsangalis, Daniel Lau, Harald Rosenkranz, Ralf Schwenger
  • Patent number: 9855472
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a first golf club head and a second golf club head. The first golf club head includes a body having a face portion, and the second golf club head includes a body having a face portion. Meanwhile, the first club face portion comprises a face surface and at least one first club groove, and the second club face portion comprises a face surface and at least one second club groove. An edge radius of the first club head groove(s) can be less than an edge radius of the second club head groove(s), a base width of the first club head groove(s) can be less than a base width of the second club head groove(s), and/or a sidewall angle of the first club head groove(s) can be greater than a sidewall angle of the second club head groove(s). Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Jertson, Ryan Stokke, Evan Greer
  • Patent number: 9855473
    Abstract: Golf club heads include white diffusing top surfaces to aid in club head alignment. Wood type club heads also include a dark diffusing club face so that a crown/face border is emphasized. Scorelines in wood type clubs can be provided with an intermediate contrast surface, and can be displaced from club face center to accommodate player perception when confronted with a white diffusing crown. Putter heads can include dark diffusing alignment lines, and iron-type club heads can include white diffusing surfaces at a sole portion of a club face, at a top line, or a top portion of a club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, David Anderson, Bill Price, Kevin Harper, Benoit Vincent, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 9855474
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9855475
    Abstract: Provided is a golf club head including a head body that has a hollow structure, a rib, and a welding bead. The head body has a first region. The rib stands upright from an inner surface of the first region. The welding bead fixes the first region and the rib to each other. An opening is formed in side faces of the rib. The welding bead extends from a first position on the inner surface of the first region, passes through the opening, and reaches a second position on the inner surface of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Motokawa
  • Patent number: 9855476
    Abstract: A golf club head having multiple structural columns is disclosed herein. A body comprises a face section, a sole section, and a crown or return section, and defines a hollow interior. Each of the structural columns extends from the crown or return section to the sole section within the hollow interior to reduce stresses placed on the face section during impact with a golf ball. The structural columns are all located within 1 inch of a rear surface of the face section measured along a plane normal to the center of the face, and are spaced a distance of 0.500 to 2.00 inch from one another within the hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James A. Seluga, Matthew Myers, Irina Ivanova, Bradley C. Rice, William C. Watson, Joel B. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9855477
    Abstract: Golf club heads include a face member with a face having a striking surface and a rear side opposite the striking surface, where a rear cavity is defined on the rear side of the face member, and a rear member is connected to the rear side of the face member, such that the rear member is at least partially received within the rear cavity. A resilient material is positioned between the rear member and the face member, and the head also includes an engagement member rigidly engaging the face member and the rear member at a point between the heel edge and the toe edge of the rear member. The engagement member has a rigidity greater than that of the resilient material and may form a sole area of rigid engagement between the face member and the rear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 9855478
    Abstract: A training apparatus is attached to a hangboard, equipped with differently-shaped grips (projecting parts or recesses). The hangboard is vertically moveable in a supporting element at a wall or at a permanent fixed structure and this supporting element is equipped with an element or a protruding flange acting as the lower end-stop for the moveable hangboard. Springs or elastic elements act between the fixed supporting element and the hangboard to press or pull the hangboard upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Vertical-Life SRL
    Inventor: Matthias Polig
  • Patent number: 9855479
    Abstract: A current generator for a swimming system may include multiple entrainment pumps that discharge a flow of water into a pool. The entrainment pumps may each have a nozzle, a venturi and an entrainment inlet. In use, the flow of water from the nozzle into the venturi causes water at the entrainment inlet to flow into the venturi along with water from the nozzle. Each entrainment pump is arranged such that the fluid that flows out of the venturi passage is directed within a main passage, and the flow from multiple venturis may be combined and may be directed at least partially against the force of gravity before that fluid is directed out of the main passage outlet and into the pool. In at least some implementations, the fluid flows for at least one foot between the venturi and the main passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden Cameron, James Murdock
  • Patent number: 9855480
    Abstract: A bicycle trainer includes a support for supporting a bicycle having a frame and a rear wheel attached to a rear axle, the support biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation, and a roller for engaging with the rear wheel of the bicycle, wherein, when the bicycle is supported by the support, the roller is adapted to provide resistance against turning the rear wheel and the rear axle of the bicycle is not connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SBI Media Holding SA
    Inventors: James Kalogiros, Fadi Yassmin, Peter Berlowitz
  • Patent number: 9855481
    Abstract: A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TRACKMAN A/S
    Inventors: Fredrik Tuxen, Frederik Ettrup Brink
  • Patent number: 9855482
    Abstract: Golf training aid for improving a golfer's golf swing, insertable into a grip end of a golf club. The aid having a rod slidably connected to the grip end of the golf club, with the first end and a portion of the rod received within the hollow shaft of the golf club. A training element is connected to the second end of the rod and disposed outwardly beyond the grip end of the shaft of the golf club. The rod is slidably moveable from a retracted position to an extended position during a golf swing via gravity. In the retracted position, the training element is located adjacent the grip end of the golf club and a portion of the rod is received within the shaft. In the extended position, the rod is extended outwardly and the training element is spaced apart from the grip end of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Dickinson
  • Patent number: 9855483
    Abstract: A golf swing training device comprising has a support base for contacting a support surface, such as the ground. There is a vertical support element extending upward from the support base having a lateral support arm transverse on the vertical support element with a relatively left side and a relatively right side. The lateral support arm has two directional arms extending in a forward direction away from the lateral support arms. The lateral support arm has a rotation-enabling connection to the vertical support element so that the relatively left side can be elevated above the relatively right side, and alternatively the relatively right side may be elevated above the relatively left side to alter the individual respective heights of the two arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Eric Steven Chiles
  • Patent number: 9855484
    Abstract: An athletic performance measuring unit can measure numerous athletic performance parameters for an athlete either during practice or during competition. The measured parameters may be used by the athlete to evaluate the improvement in their performance as well as compare their level of performance against peers. The athletic performance measuring unit can also be configure to transmit the sensed sensor data to a personal processing unit, such as a smart device, for calculation of one or more athletic performance parameters. The calculated athletic performance parameters can be transmitted by the PPU to other electronic devices of those fans interested in following the athletic performance of a particular athlete, group of athletes, and/or team. Further, the athletic performance measuring unit can be configured to be integrated with the display system of an arena or stadium such that the athletic performance parameters can be displayed on the scoreboard of the arena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Mayfonk Athletic, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Matak, Jonathan Mitts
  • Patent number: 9855485
    Abstract: A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone at an object-contact area (116) by providing an impact signal if the impact meets threshold impact criteria. The impact signal identifies an expected location of a print area (118) in the zone and supplemental impact information for the impact. Responsive to the impact signal, a controller (702) determines whether the supplemental impact information meets supplemental impact criteria and, if so, provides an initiation signal. The impact-dependent portion responds to the initiation signal, if provided, by temporarily appearing along the print area as changed color materially different from the principal color. The print area closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Ronald J. Meetin
  • Patent number: 9855486
    Abstract: A protective baseball sliding glove is a device for protecting the user's hand when the user is sliding into a base. The user is able to position his or her hand within a hand-enclosing rigid housing that is then placed into a glove that covers the hand-enclosing rigid housing and a portion of the user's forearm. The user is able to grasp a cross-brace within the hand-enclosing rigid housing, anchoring the user's hand within the hand-enclosing rigid housing. The position of the cross-brace may be adjusted via a plurality of adjustment holes on the hand-enclosing rigid housing that allows the user to move the cross-brace to his or her comfort. A securing stabilizer strap may be utilized to secure the glove as well as provide structural support and rigidity to the user's wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Gerda Shupe, Brodie Ross Penquite
  • Patent number: 9855487
    Abstract: A blade holder assembly for a skate including a blade holder having an elongated groove defined in a bottom surface, and a recess extending upwardly therefrom in alignment with a pedestal, for engagement with a blade. The pedestal has an internal cavity defined therein separate and spaced from the elongated groove and the recess. A locking arm is engaged to the pedestal and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking arm has an engagement end protruding into the recess through an opening defined in a wall of the pedestal. A greater portion of the engagement end protrudes into the recess in the locked position than in the unlocked position. At least a major part of the locking arm, including the engagement end, remains outside of the internal cavity of the pedestal in the locked and unlocked positions. A blade assembly is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SPORT MASKA INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Chartrand, Bernard Daoust
  • Patent number: 9855488
    Abstract: A snowshoe comprises a frame defining a periphery of the snowshoe. A deck is secured in a stretched state to the frame, a cutout being defined in the deck. A binding is connected to at least one of the frame and the deck and being aligned with the cutout in the deck. A footwear support portion is adapted to receive footwear of a wearer and being pivotable relative to the deck along a pivoting range so as to allow a tip of the footwear to plunge through the cutout below a plane of the deck. An unbiased hinge is between the frame and/or the deck and the footwear support portion to allow unbiased movement of the footwear support portion in a proximal portion of the pivoting range. A biased hinge is between the frame and/or the deck and the footwear support portion to allow biased movement of the footwear support portion in a distal portion of the pivoting range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LOUIS GARNEAU SPORTS INC.
    Inventor: Geoffroy Dussault
  • Patent number: 9855489
    Abstract: A wearable mobility device comprising a base for the placement of a shoe, the base including a heel-support section, a battery pack, a tail reflector, and a wireless receiver. The device including a first wheel having a wheel hub motor embedded therein, the motor rotatably connected to a first partial axial shaft connected to the base. The device including a second wheel having a wheel hub motor controller embedded therein, the motor controller rotatably connected to a second partial axial shaft connected to the base and operative to control a speed of rotation of the first wheel and the second wheel. The device also including a remote control for controlling the speed of rotation of the first wheel and the second wheel, the remote control operative to transmit one or more control signals to the wireless receiver, the wireless receiver being electrically coupled to the motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ACTON, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Treadway
  • Patent number: 9855490
    Abstract: A user-propelled collapsible apparatus comprises a body (1) provided with wheels (21) and a retractable handle means (3) for propelling the apparatus. Bracing means (5) is provided for the handle means, the bracing means being movable between a deployed configuration in which the bracing means supports the extended handle means and a stored configuration in which the bracing means lies substantially adjacent to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Iain Peter McGuffie
  • Patent number: 9855491
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring shuffled playing cards. A shuffled card ID is associated with the one or more shuffled decks of playing cards. Each card delivered by a card feeder from the one or more shuffled decks of playing cards is inspected. It is determined whether there is a defect in the arrangement of the one or more shuffled decks of playing cards. Upon a condition that a shuffled deck of playing cards is determined to be defective, at least one of discarding the defective shuffled deck of playing cards or preventing a recurrence of a defect found within the defective shuffled deck of playing cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ANGEL PLAYING CARDS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 9855492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (1) for pinball-type recreational games, characterized in that it comprises a module for the monitoring and storage (2) of operative variables of the machine (1), comprising means for communication with remote storage and control equipment (9), where said monitoring and storage module (2) also comprises the following elements: at least one CPU (4) connected to a plurality of sensor elements; at least one data-receiving and data-encoding device (3) connected to said CPU (4); at least one multimedia support unit (5); at least one electronic purse (6); and an electromechanical counting device (7) for counting the number and amplitude of the electric pulses received from said electronic purse (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Antonio Ortiz Mezquita
  • Patent number: 9855493
    Abstract: Puzzle pieces, puzzle piece compositions, puzzle piece fastening devices and systems, assembled puzzle mounts and systems and methods of fastening and assembling different layers together to form puzzle pieces. Mounting assemblies for the puzzles and support structures and methods for customizing and the decorating of puzzle pieces and assembled puzzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Patty Pratt
  • Patent number: 9855494
    Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to provide efficient game access is described. A request to access a first game using a first primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the first primary identifier are accessed. A request to access a second game using a second primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the second primary identifier are accessed. A determination that the first and second primary identifiers are associated with a particular player is made. An association between the internal identifiers is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Lavery, Rahul Kapur, Mohan Reddy, Scott D. MacGregor, Jeffrey Zakrzewski
  • Patent number: 9855495
    Abstract: A game machine acquires predetermined information used to reproduce a image of character during a game from a character card, and uses the image of character for a progress of the game. The game machine includes a Bar code reader adapted and configured to acquire from the character card, information of player name that is associated with a image of character as information used to identify each player playing the game. And, the game machine reproduces a plurality of images of characters during the game based on the predetermined information of each character card, and classifies each image of character reproduced during the game based on the information of player name associated with each image of character into classifications which are dealt with differently from each other in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiri Mikoshiba, Hiroshi Asato, Akihiro Takatoku
  • Patent number: 9855496
    Abstract: A real-time stereo video signal of a captured scene with a physical foreground object and a physical background is received. In real-time, a foreground/background separation algorithm is used on the real-time stereo video signal to identify pixels from the stereo video signal that represent the physical foreground object. A video sequence may be produced by rendering a 3D virtual reality based on the identified pixels of the physical foreground object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thore K H Graepel, Andrew Blake, Ralf Herbrich
  • Patent number: 9855497
    Abstract: An immersive play environment platform including techniques describing recognizing non-verbal vocalization gestures from a user is disclosed. A headset device receives audio input from a user. The headset device transmits the audio input to a controller device. The controller device evaluates characteristics of the audio input (e.g., spectral features over a period of time) to determine whether the audio input corresponds to a predefined non-verbal vocalization, such as a humming noise, shouting noise, etc. The controller device may perform an action in response to detecting such non-verbal vocalizations, such as engaging a play object (e.g., an action figure, an action disc) in the play environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Eric C. Haseltine, Joseph L. Olson
  • Patent number: 9855498
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, and a touch sensitive input module. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble
  • Patent number: 9855499
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing a player's likeness on an in game model at runtime including geometry and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Lee Meekins, Emre Hasan Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9855500
    Abstract: A short-range wireless communication network may be established by direct communication between two or more wireless communication devices and/or communication via an access point to permit game play between a plurality of devices. A conventional cellular telephone includes an integrated short-range transceiver. The short-range transceivers of multiple wireless communication devices can be coupled together to dynamically form a short-range communication network without utilizing any wireless communication network supported by a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Data is disseminated between the wireless communication devices using a data message synchronization process. Messages may also be carried from one wireless network to another as the communication devices are carried by individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Mobilitie, LLC
    Inventors: Gary B. Jabara, Christos Karmis, David Brett Simon, Lloyd Frederick Linder
  • Patent number: 9855501
    Abstract: A method of modifying a transparency factor of one or more objects in a computer game. A display of a computer device displays a first object having a transparency factor at a first location, said first object overlying at least one of a plurality of game objects. In response to a trigger event at least one of said transparency factor of the first object, a transparency factor of a game pointer, and a transparency factor of at least one game object are modified and at least one of said first object, said game pointer, and said at least one game object are displayed with said at least one modified transparency factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Ignacio Pintos Magdalena, Patrik Swartz
  • Patent number: 9855502
    Abstract: To enable prevention of reading and running of a game program in an illegitimate storage medium, the disclosed slot machine includes: an SSD device including a flash memory configured to store a game program for running a game and an authentication program including an authentication key, which authenticates the game program; and a memory controller SD23 having a reference key corresponding to the authentication key, which is configured to control the storage area, and a CPU core, wherein the CPU core executes the steps of: (A) executing the authentication program in which the reference key is retrieved from the memory controller to determine whether the authentication key matches with the reference key, and if the authentication key matches with the reference key, the game program is authenticated by the authentication program; (B) starting a game by running the game program when the game program is authenticated in the step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Ike, Masahide Narimatsu, Shinya Hashizume
  • Patent number: 9855503
    Abstract: A system and method for providing secondary gaming for fantasy sports to provide more interactive, robust and comprehensive fantasy sports gaming. A secondary game involves one or more fantasy sports players, one or more statistics to measure fantasy performance of the players, one or more time period in which to evaluate the fantasy player, and a game value amount, which is the consideration contested in the fantasy game. Accordingly, Users may place wagers on the expected performance of fantasy players or teams in a fantasy league regardless of whether the party is a participant in the league. The system may be functionally connected to the league software manager to provide real-time registration, submission, monitoring, and submission of second games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Rishi Nangia
  • Patent number: 9855504
    Abstract: A method for sharing three-dimensional gameplay of a video game, that is rendered to a head-mounted display (HMD), to a social network, is provided, including the following method operations: recording, by an HMD connected computer, a three-dimensional (3-D) video clip to a storage, the 3-D video clip generated from 3-D gameplay of a video game that is driven by interactive use of the HMD; receiving, by the HMD connected computer, a request to share the 3-D video clip to a social network; generating, by the HMD connected computer, a two-dimensional (2-D) video clip by converting the 3-D video clip to a 2-D format; sharing, by the HMD connected computer, the 2-D video clip to the social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Noam Rimon
  • Patent number: 9855505
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Tiago Amaral Penteado de Jesus
  • Patent number: 9855506
    Abstract: A trading card includes a main portion having any character of a plurality of characters represented on at least one surface and an electronic component for contactless communication, which is contained in the main portion. The electronic component includes a storage portion which stores data related to the character represented on the main portion and a circuit which writes data received from an external apparatus through contactless communication into the storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawanabe, Kenko Kawahara, Hideaki Kamata, Norio Asakura
  • Patent number: 9855507
    Abstract: A portable gaming and entertainment system (or “environment”) for use with a game console and related components that allows the user thereof to easily, safely and conveniently transport the system. The system comprises a case having a lid pivotally attached to a base. One or more custom inserts are provided to securely receive the game console therein. The custom inserts permit the system to be usable with a variety of supported game consoles. The lid includes a monitor and speakers, and is operative to be opened and maintained at a position to provide a desirable viewing angle for a user. The lid closes against the base to enclose the game console and other related components so that the user may easily transport and/or store the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: G.A.E.M.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Thomas Mercier, Parker Chou, Ryan Moore
  • Patent number: 9855508
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a water slide system including an at least partly translucent or transparent slide tube which may be circumferentially closed and in which a slide surface that can be wetted with liquid extends in a slide direction. Lighting features that are visible from the interior of the slide tube are arranged on the outside of the slide tube in order to achieve optical effects in the interior of the slide tube. According to an aspect, the lighting features are pixels, for example LEDs, which are arranged in a matrix of at least one screen module. The screen module may be in the shape of a shell that extends on the outside of the slide tube and over a circumferential portion of the slide tube and which can be actuated in order to display movable two-dimensional or stereoscopic images, which may be curved in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLARER FREIZEITANLAGEN AG
    Inventor: Stefan Klarer
  • Toy
    Patent number: 9855509
    Abstract: A toy includes a hollow soft plastic shell deformable by means of squeezing, first modeling piece configured on the hollow soft plastic shell and second modeling piece coupled pivotally to the first modeling piece; the hollow soft plastic shell has a top wall arched downward to form an accommodation concave chamber. The present invention is novel in structure, interesting, energetic and easy to be operated and controlled. In addition the toy of the present invention is easy to be produced and manufactured because of the simple structure thereof, very stable in use, and suitable for the promotion, production and application so as to meet entertainment, teaching, trick or other needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DONGGUAN WEIKUAN PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ta-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 9855510
    Abstract: “Let the Bullet fly for a while, Let the Phone Fly, Phonefly!” The carrier of the Phonefly xPhone is the disclub golf having the cam lock. The next generation Phonefly xPhone is the dual-Phone-Watch pair having the ultra-long flying capabilities with cam lock and the remote monitoring/watching capability. Due to the disclub golfrisbee, golf disc, having no impact force as the golf ball does, the disclub golf having the cam lock becomes the practical vehicle to carry the Phonefly xPhone to far end and monitoring with Watch. The complete set of Phonefly xPhone ecosystem includes the disclub, golfrisbee/disc/golfring, dual-phone-watch, disclub trolley, disclub retriever, disc-ball hybrid flagpole, disc -ball hybrid harvest machine and disc-ball hybrid vending machine, etc. The Phonefly xPhone is the pairs of smart phone sPhone, smart watch, game monitor and game controller, combining with disclub golf to have the extra dimension of freedom to have the remote access, control and monitoring of far end activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TANG SYSTEM
    Inventors: Min Ming Tarng, Mei-Jech Lin, Eric Yu-Shiao Tarng, Alfred Yu-Chi Tarng, Angela Yu-Shiu Tarng, Huang-Chang Tarng
  • Patent number: 9855511
    Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for bisected and/or partially bisected helium-free balloons that may be secured over an extended stationary structure such as an extended pole and/or lamp-post such that the secured balloon gives the appearance of being whole or un-bisected. Some embodiments may include an continuous and/or continuous air-fed balloon system. Additional embodiments include improved methods for elevating and/or coupling a bisected and/or partially bisected helium-free balloon an extended stationary structure such as an extended pole and/or lamp-post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BALLOON INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wicken, Gregg A. Wicken
  • Patent number: 9855512
    Abstract: Horizontal control of a toy flying vehicle intended for indoor hovering flight comprises providing the vehicle having a rotor and a separate remote controller for use by a player of the toy. The vehicle is airborne relative to the controller. A signal is sent from a transmitter with the toy to the controller. A variation in intensity of the received signal from the toy being effected in a horizontal plane of the controller. The controller is programmed to transmit a responsive signal to the toy according to the variation of intensity of signal received and thereby to cause the toy with the transmitter in the toy to move horizontally and to thereby retain the received signal in the horizontal direction of the controller at a first predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DONGGUAN SILVERLIT TOYS, CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwok Leung Wong
  • Patent number: 9855513
    Abstract: After an aqueous solution containing, at a concentration of less than 40% by mass, an organic compound having two or more hydrophilic groups in a molecule is adjusted to contain the organic compound at a concentration of equal to or greater than 40% by mass, the aqueous solution whose organic compound concentration is adjusted to equal to or greater than 40% by mass is irradiated with an ultrasonic wave to atomize water, and is dehydrated and concentrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Namba, Junnosuke Saito
  • Patent number: 9855514
    Abstract: A method of the present invention for producing a halohydantoin compound by refining, in a dryer (1), a composition containing at least one of water and elemental halogen, an organic solvent, and the halohydantoin compound, the method includes the steps of: (i) removing the organic solvent from the composition; and (ii) removing the at least one of the water and the elemental halogen from the composition refined in the step (i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPOH CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikegami, Yukihiko Hanamura, Shinji Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 9855515
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a horizontal multi-stage distillation system. The system comprises a feed stream, a distillate stream, a residue stream, a group of vessels, a plurality of vapor non-return valves (NRVs), a plurality of plurality of pumps, a plurality of liquid recycle NRVs, a liquid stream, a vapor stream, a plurality of liquid recycle streams, a plurality of level transmitters, a plurality of flow control valves (FCVs) and a plurality of liquid non-return valves (NRVs). Each vessel is connected to the adjacent vessel. The group of vessels comprises a condenser vessel, a reboiler vessel, a feed vessel, at-least one rectification vessel and at-least one stripping vessel. The present invention provides a horizontal multi-stage distillation system with higher efficiency and operational flexibility compared with equivalent vertical distillation columns. The present invention also avoids the interstage backflow of the liquid and vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Amit Katyal