Abstract: A mono-fin for swim training is disclosed. The mono-fin has two separated boot structures that from two separate foot cavities for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures. The mono-fin has a mono-fin structure connecting the boot structure through the front regions of each of the boot structures. In a middle region of the mono-fin structure and between the front regions of the boot structures, there is flex region. The flex region allows angles between the boot structures and distances between the back regions of the boot structures to be changed by a swimmer while swim training.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, each core layer has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

Abstract: Golf balls having an initial velocity greater than 255 ft/sec and/or an overall distance of greater than 320 yards are disclosed. The golf balls comprise one or more core layers, one or more cover layers, and optionally one or more intermediate layers disposed between the core and the cover. At least one layer is optionally formed from a composition comprising from 2 wt % to 50 wt % of a plasticizer, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A sports ball for use in baseball-type games includes a hollow, substantially spherical plastic ball that has a plurality of substantially planar, intersecting regions covering an outer surface thereof. Preferably the ball also has a weight that is substantially less than a weight of a regulation baseball, for enhancing safety in use. The sports system further includes a bat for use with the ball, or with any similar ball, preferably a plastic ball. The bat is a hollow, elongated member that has a handle portion adjacent a bottom end and a barrel portion between the handle portion and a top end. The bat further has a sheath surrounding at least a portion of the barrel portion. The sheath has a coefficient of friction higher than a coefficient of friction of a surface of the barrel portion, for imparting “traction” to a struck ball.

Abstract: A lighting bounce ball comprises a bouncy hollow ball body a light source, and a cover layer. One end of the ball body is communicated with a nozzle and the other end thereof opposite to the nozzle is concavely formed a cup body. The nozzle and the cup body are coaxially arranged. The light source is concavely arranged in the cup body. The cover layer covers an outer surface of the bouncy hollow ball body and the cup body so that the nozzle is partially exposed externally to the bouncy hollow ball body. The ball may be lighted while playing so as to make much funner and attract the younger to play. In addition, the track of the ball may be obviously seen in the dark or a place with insufficient light. It may be used in more adaptable places.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body and a plurality of tubes is disclosed herein. The body comprises a face section, a sole section with a protrusion extending upward and a crown section. The body defines a hollow interior. Each of the plurality of tubes extends from the crown section to the protrusion of the sole section.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a club head with sole mass element. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a forward section and a body section to define a closed internal volume. The forward section has a strike face, a frame that surrounds the strike face, and a flange extending from the frame. The body section is formed from a molded polymeric material, and includes a forward edge that defines a receiving portion adapted to receive the flange and a weight receiving feature spaced apart from the forward edge. The body section further includes a reinforcing structure protruding into the internal volume and extending between the weight receiving feature and the forward edge. The reinforcing structure is operative to transfer impact loads between the weight receiving feature and the metallic forward section.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with deflection junctions are described herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A golf club shaft and a golf club using such a golf club shaft are achieved, wherein the golf club shaft is capable of suppressing variations of various parameters at impact by reducing the difference in rigidity between the layers of the shaft body. The golf club shaft includes full-length bias prepregs provided only as a plurality of pairs thereof and as full-length layers that extend over an entire length of the shaft body, wherein fiber directions of each pair of the full-length bias prepregs are inclined at an angle within a range of 22 degrees through 28 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the shaft body, respectively.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip having excellent grip performance under a wet condition. The present invention provides a golf club grip having an outermost surface layer, wherein the outermost surface layer contains (A) a crosslinked rubber and (B) a silica, and has, at at least a part thereof, a region where a spherical silica secondary particle with a particle size of 3 ?m or more exists in an amount of at least two particles/mm2. If a spherical silica secondary particle with a particle size of 3 ?m or more exists in a given amount at at least a part of the outermost surface layer, the golf club grip has an improved grip performance under a wet condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball game racket, a method for adjusting the length of the handle portion of a ball game racket and a handle shell for the handle portion of a ball game racket.

Abstract: A sporting implement, such as a blade for a hockey stick, may include an outer layer, a core, and a recovery gel positioned between the core and the outer layer. The recovery gel can form a film, and the recovery gel can be compressible, shape recoverable, and pressurized to a predetermined pressure. The recovery gel can be configured to provide an integrated agent for filling cracks that appear during use of the blade. The recovery gel can be configured to absorb energy impacts between the outer layer and the core. When a crack appears, the predetermined pressure can be relieved inside the crack and fills a cavity formed by the crack to provide cohesion between the outer layer and the core to recreate a new material in the place of the crack. The recovery gel can be configured to help prevent cracks from propagating and actively heals potential damages by reducing stiffness loss caused by cracks.

Abstract: A bag toss game platform easy to assemble and store is disclosed. Traditional bag toss game platforms are two pre-assembled boxes taking up to 48 inches by 24 inches by 15 inches in total and cannot be dissembled by players after use. But the platforms described herein take (for two sets), in certain embodiments, no more than 48 inches by 13 inches by 3.5 inches (i.e., about ? of the traditional volume) and can easily be assembled for gameplay and disassembled after use. The platform may include a top surface, at least two side supports, and at least two cross bars connecting the at least two side supports. Because cross lap joints between the side supports and cross bars, and groove joints between the top surface and the side supports and cross bars may be used, the platform is easily assembled for use and disassembled for transportation and storage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gaming device (1) to throw and catch a ball or a shuttlecock comprising a basket (20) structured around two rigid walls (21, 23) and elastic means (22, 24) for throwing the ball or the shuttlecock with a certain velocity by stretching the gaming device (1), while making it easier to catch the projectile in the structured basket (20) when the gaming device (1) is in resting position.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method providing vision algorithms for identifying objects traveling in space and identifying the configuration of one or more targets of the objects. The system is suitably programmed to record data related to movement of objects in relation to one or more targets.

Abstract: A versatile adapter for a ball batting tee having a housing that has a top end that has a plurality of bristles embedded on its top surface; a mid-body section that has a plurality of equidistantly spaced and outwardly projected vertical ridges; and a tapered bottom end that has a plurality of equidistantly spaced and outwardly projected annular ridges. The adapter is configured to be removably inserted into a circular opening on the top end of a supporting rod of a batting tee and once inserted, the adapter is securely held in the circular opening by friction.

Abstract: A golf practice arrangement that is used to develop a golfer's swing. The practice arrangement has a club with a head that has a hosel extending from the head for connection to a shaft. The shaft at one end has a grip attached to it and is connected to the hosel at the opposite end. The head has a striking face that is adapted for striking a fastener and a body that is aligned behind the striking face. The fastener is driven into a block that is held in a holder affixed to the mat. The mat is built for a user of the club to stand upon when striking the fastener into the block with the club. The fastener may be a nail that is driven into a wood block. The striking face is round having a circular area with which to strike a nail.

Abstract: A narrow section of webbing is integrated into the construction of each of the two gloves in a pair, webbing that is positioned between the thumb and index finger of each glove. The flexible webbing allows for a full range motion for the thumb of the glove while providing an expanded catching surface between the thumb and index finger that was not previously available. When utilized alone or as a pair, the webbing on each of the two gloves provides a significantly increased catching surface for a ball that is received into the hands, especially between the two hands of the receiver. Various types of flexible materials may be used for the webbing and include stretchable net material and/or material that incorporates increased friction grip surfaces similar to the types of adherence materials already typically used on receiver's gloves.

Abstract: A skate boot having a tendon guard partially delimiting an opening of the skate boot. The tendon guard includes a lower member, a connecting member extending upwardly from the lower member, an upper member extending upwardly from the connecting member and an intermediate part. The upper member is abuttable against a rear bottom portion of a leg of the user. The upper member is resiliently displaceable relative to the lower member in a forward and a rearward direction. The intermediate part interconnects the upper and lower members and may encase the connecting member. The intermediate part is made of a material having one or both of a greater flexibility and a lower hardness than that of the lower member, the connecting member and the upper member. A method of manufacturing a skate is also discussed.

Abstract: A snowshoe provides a way for outdoor enthusiasts to traverse the backcountry effectively and efficiently. The snowshoe allows the user to glide through the snow like a cross-country ski, but with the minimal footprint of a traditional snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a board and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, but allows for a pivoting motion. The pivoting motion allows the user to ascend steep terrain by performing a motion similar to cross-country skiing.

Abstract: A snowshoe (1500) is formed from multi-density foam materials. The snowshoe (1500) generally includes a deck 1502 and binding 1504 mounted on the deck 1502. The deck 1502 is formed from layers of flexible multi-density foam materials and has a continuously curved bottom surface to promote forward rocking motion. Consequently, it is not necessary to provide a pivot plate with crampons or to provide an opening in the deck 1502. The deck 1502 further includes a traction plate 1510. The traction plate 1510 is formed from a material that is harder than the lower layer of the deck 1502. The traction plate 1510 includes a number of cleats 1512 distributed from side-to-side and front-to-back across the traction plate 1510. Each of the cleats 1512 includes a number of spikes 1514 for penetrating snow or ice to provide enhanced traction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel skateboard truck. More particularly, the present invention pertains to skateboard truck with two independently adjustable pivot points that achieve a unique variable turning motion without affecting the skateboard's stability. Additionally, the skateboard truck includes an offset axle that swings towards the direction of the turn, thus shifting the wheels away from the side of the skateboard, eliminating wheel bite, and increasing stability.

Abstract: A movable dasher board system optimizes user safety in a hockey rink or similar arena. A bottom structure, provided by a sliding bottom surface or roller assembly, has low friction characteristics, typically a ?s of 0.05 or less with respect to ice if a sliding surface, or if roller bearings an effective coefficient of rolling friction 0.04 or less. A dasher board assembly is operatively connected to and extends upwardly from the bottom structure. Biasing and impact force absorbing devices (such as pneumatic or hydraulic or spring-encasing telescoping tubes, or foam, gel, or compression springs) bias the bottom structure and dasher board assembly to a desired position and absorb the impact of a human hitting the dasher board assembly to minimize the possibility of injury to the human. The system may be installed in a pre-existing rink or other arena.

Abstract: A movable dasher board system optimizes user safety in a hockey rink or similar arena. A bottom structure, provided by a sliding bottom surface or roller assembly, has low friction characteristics, typically a ?s of 0.05 or less with respect to ice if a sliding surface, or if roller bearings an effective coefficient of rolling friction 0.04 or less. A dasher board assembly is operatively connected to and extends upwardly from the bottom structure. Biasing and impact force absorbing devices (such as pneumatic or hydraulic or spring-encasing telescoping tubes, or foam, gel, or compression springs) bias the bottom structure and dasher board assembly to a desired position and absorb the impact of a human hitting the dasher board assembly to minimize the possibility of injury to the human. The system may be installed in a pre-existing rink or other arena.

Abstract: A cue stick includes a cavity, and a canister is fitted within the cavity. The canister can be used to conceal small items such as cash or cigarettes. The canister can be substantially cylindrical and include a detachable cover, for example. The cue stick includes a detachable butt cap allowing access to the canister by the player. In some embodiments, the canister is weighted allowing the user to adjust the overall weight of the cue by selecting a canister having the desired additional weight.

Abstract: A table game system is provided that includes a plurality of association tables, each of which makes it possible to obtain the correlation between codes attached to shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof, and prevents the correlation between the codes of the shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof from being known by a person who intends to commit cheating by changing the association table used as appropriate. A card shoe apparatus 2 of the table game system of the present invention includes a barcode reader 100 that reads a barcode 3 attached to a shuffled playing card set 1s, and thereby reads a shuffled card ID that can uniquely identify the shuffled playing card set 1s. The shuffled card ID of the shuffled playing cards to be used is subjected to a process of association to identify one of association table numbers (T1 to T10) or database numbers, and the rank and the suit of a card 1 that are attached to the card 1 are identified based on a code C with an association table (T3).

Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.

Abstract: The game is played by matching color and/or shape of adjacent game board pieces played within the spaces on a game board. Placement of a game piece on one of the game play affecting spaces can provide a player of that piece with one or more game play affecting actions. Similarly, placing a game piece in a manner that creates one or more specified game piece arrangements can provide a player of that piece with one or more game play affecting actions. A player can acquire and play a special affect game board piece that allows replacement of one or more previously played game board pieces.

Abstract: A robotic gaming system is provided that includes a playing surface, a ceiling above the playing surface and a subfloor below the playing surface. At least one robot is controlled by a player to navigate on the playing surface, above the subfloor, or below the ceiling to interact with a plurality of scoring elements. A sensor associated with a scoring element identifies when a robot successfully interacts with the scoring element to score points.

Abstract: The invention as outlined provides a dice game for both indoor and outdoor use. The dice game comprises rules and three dice, two standard dice with six sides comprised of black pips denoting numbers 1-6, and a third die known as the Block It die (“Block It Die”) with six sides comprised of red pips denoting numbers 2-6 with a red symbol embedded in replacing the number 1 pip as disposed on one facet. The symbol is the letter B. The game is played with two players, Player One and Player Two. Players take alternate turns to score points or block opponent's ability to score, with the goal of the game to be the first player to reach a predetermined score.

Abstract: Action games and animation movies require engaging character interaction with other characters and/or objects in dynamic environment, which lead to many possible responsive motions. However, it remains di cult to simulate diverse balanced interactive motion in dynamic system, which are widely determined by physics laws related to collision, balance control, bio-mechanics constraints, un-expected external forces such as a hit to any body part from the opponent character, following a user-required motion goal. A simulation system to achieve this research goal is provided in this documentation. The input of this system is, given the current motion state such as a state after an hit from the opponent, a reasonable responsive motion goal required by the action director such as to give a counter-strike punch to the opponent head while decaying the energy of the hit to keep balance. The output is goal-directed balanced motion driven by joint torques in dynamic virtual environment.

Abstract: Technologies are described for configuring user input using physical gestures. For example, a user can be prompted to perform a physical gesture to assign to a software application command (e.g., an action within a video game or a command in another type of application). In response, a physical gesture can be received from the user via a physical gesture input device.

Abstract: A virtual reality system maps primarily 2-D arena movements into 3-D virtual worlds. Movement into specific physical arena areas or directions triggers virtual world effects such as changing elevation, moving on a different elevation, walking on walls or walking on the outer surface of an object. The 3D-VR system supports multiple simultaneous people at different virtual elevations and provides a realistic, interesting and exciting simulation experience.

Abstract: An attachment configured to be attached to a game controller with a camera is provided. The attachment includes a housing and an operation portion in the housing. The housing includes a support portion which supports the game controller such that a direction of shooting of the camera is oriented to the inside of the housing. The operation portion has a movable portion in the housing, a position of the movable portion being changed in accordance with a pressing operation onto the operation portion, and at least one of a shape of and a pattern on the movable portion viewed from the camera being changed in accordance with a rotation operation onto the operation portion.

Abstract: A design for a cooperative live action virtual reality experience is described. A client makes use of a 360-degree display unit to play a 360-degree video file, a corresponding audio file, and an annotation requesting the user to make a selection that will dictate the progression of the virtual reality experience. The user input is processed in view of a script tree to determine the subsequent 360-degree video, audio, and annotation to send to the client. In some embodiments, progression of the virtual reality experience is dictated by annotation selections made by a second user or by both users who are cooperatively participating in the virtual reality experience.

Abstract: Increasing a number of advertising impressions in a system configured to facilitate user interaction with an interactive environment containing one or more advertising targets is described. A scene of a portion of the simulated environment is displayed from a camera point of view (camera POV) on a video display. The scene may change as the camera POV changes in response to movement of the camera POV along a camera path during the user's interaction with the simulated environment. Modifying the camera path or a camera field of view can place more of an advertising target within the displayed scene to increase a likelihood of generating an advertising impression. The advertising target is characterized by a field of attraction of the camera POV that is customized to an angle of approach and speed of approach of the camera POV.

Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: Provided is a game control method carried out by a game control device connected to communication terminals used by users who play a game. The device has a storage unit for storing group information indicative of a group consisting of users and game piece information indicative of game pieces constituting one item. The method includes giving a game piece to each user in accordance with a user operation to his/her communication terminal; storing obtained game piece information indicative of the game piece given to each user in the storage unit; determining whether all of the game pieces necessary to constitute the one item indicated by the game piece information are given to users constituting a group indicated by the group information based on the obtained game piece information; and giving a reward to users constituting the group if it is determined that all of the game pieces are given.

Abstract: A method of providing virtual items based on location-based action is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game. The virtual item may be usable within the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: The present invention provides a program for a game that is executed at an electronic device that includes a display and a contact-type position input device, the program causing the electronic device to execute setting an operation reference position in a coordinate plane; determining whether a touch is being made on the contact-type position input device; setting an operation position in the coordinate plane in accordance with a touched position that is acquired; moving an object that is displayed on the display in the game, on the basis of the operation reference position and the operation position; saving the operation position as a displacement reference position; detecting a touched-position movement from the displacement reference position, the touched-position movement satisfying a predetermined condition; and resetting the operation reference position in the coordinate plane in a case where a touched-position movement satisfying the predetermined condition is detected.

Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided. The video game processing apparatus includes a processor for controlling progress of a video game. The video game includes at least one virtual mission which a first player cannot execute. The processor informs a second player different from the first player of an existence of the first player corresponding to the at least one virtual mission. A display displays a game screen including an image. The image informs the first player corresponding to the at least one virtual mission that the at least one virtual mission has been played by the second player.

Abstract: A system and method of pausing a game in a cloud gaming system including playing a game on a first game computer included in the cloud gaming system, pausing the game at a selected point in the game and capturing game state data for the paused game. The paused game can be resumed by retrieving the game state data and applying the game state data to a selected game computer and resuming the game at the selected point in the game on the selected game computer.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for automated image processing to improve visibility of similar luminosities in a digital media application are disclosed. The systems and methods can determine a Daltonization value based on the color palette of a frame in the digital media and modify a local contrast parameter and a local brightness parameter of the frame by applying an enhanced Daltonization process to the frame. The enhanced Daltonization technique can create a color shift in the frame. In some embodiments, after the frame is optimally Daltonized, the local brightness and contrast parameters are rebalanced to shift colors back to light hues to compensate for the initial shift to darker colors. The systems and methods can return the optimized frame to a colorblind person for view.

Abstract: When one node, from nodes included in either a finite state machine including a node to which a state of a character is assigned or a behavior tree including a node to which action content of a character is assigned, is designated in accordance with a user operation, a screen, that is for querying a user as to which of a finite state machine and a behavior tree to assign to the one node, is caused to be displayed on a display screen. One from the finite state machine and the behavior tree that is selected in accordance with a user operation is assigned to the one node.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to deliver enhanced augmented reality gameplay experience for Trading Card Games. The computer-implemented method includes setting up a gaming session with a plurality of Gamers through a user interface. The computer-implemented method includes scanning one or more relevant cards and identifying a Game Component represented by the relevant cards. The computer-implemented method includes retrieving a pre-defined sequence of animated movements of a 3D model of the Game Component from a database by the game server. Further, the computer-implemented method includes superimposing the sequence of animated movements onto the image of the trading card as captured by the camera of the gaming device, thereby giving the effect of the animated 3D model augmenting the real image of the static trading card so that the Game Component appears to be alive.

Abstract: A method includes: displaying, in a game user interface, a first game scene including at least one game character; displaying a skill selection object in the game user interface, the skill selection object including a plurality skill slots; determining a set of deployable skills corresponding to the first game scene, wherein a total number and types of skills included the set of deployable skills are dynamically determined based on a predefined set of characteristics of the first game scene; and distributing the set of deployable skills into one or more of the plurality of skill slots in the skill selection object, wherein a corresponding skill is deployed in the first game scene when selected by a user from the one or more of the plurality of skill slots in the skill selection object.

Abstract: A method for displaying prompt information is performed at a terminal having one or more processors, a touchscreen, and memory storing a plurality of programs to be executed by the one or more processors, the method including: acquiring current game progress information in a game process; acquiring, according to the game progress information, a track prompt file corresponding to the game progress information, the track prompt file being generated according to a game operation process of a historical game user; and displaying, based on the track prompt file, an operation prompt track on the touchscreen in a current game scene.

Abstract: A CPU performs a sound acquisition step of acquiring sound data for outputting sound, a movement step of moving a virtual sound source and/or a virtual microphone in a virtual space in which the virtual sound source and the virtual microphone are set, a sound modification step of generating modified sound by adding the Doppler effect virtually observed by the virtual microphone when the sound is output from the virtual sound source to the sound of the sound data by calculation using the values of the limited speeds of the virtual sound source and/or the virtual microphone, and a modified sound output step of outputting the modified sound.

Abstract: Designed is a system and method for providing line of sight interaction in an AR environment between users of portable devices with the camera. The system and method uses computer-generated images to represent other system users and real or fictional objects with the precise location in 3 dimensional space. This Digital scene is overlaid onto and combined with the current real world environment as seen on the users' viewfinder. The invention is a novel system and method for allowing users to aim their portable devices and interact or communicate with the CGI images or other users of the same system, creating an augmented reality experience that is enhanced by a line of sight style communication.