Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a golf tee. The golf tee may include a shaft having a top end and a bottom end. A cup may be located at the top end of the shaft, the cup may have a concave surface, and the cup may have a rim configured to contact a ball when the golf tee supports the ball. At least one protrusion may extend from the concave surface of the cup, where the protrusion has a surface configured to contact the ball when the golf tee supports the ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shuttlecock for use in a racquet sport games. The shuttlecock has a core housing with an upper portion and a lower half round shaped portion secured in a flexible nose cone. Tail fins having strengthened base areas are secured to the core housing. The flexible nose cone has an interior impact cushion zone against which the half round shaped portion rests for absorbing and redistributing forces applied to the nose cone by a racket, or the like.

Abstract: An automatic game ball throwing machine. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, a drive wheel mechanism attached to the support frame, and a human-machine interface which enables customization of ball spin, speed and target location. A light source can be attached to the machine to illuminate each ball at one or more launch points. Further, a launching frame indexing element can be positioned to control the location of the ball target. A resident software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing element and human-machine interface, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics.

Abstract: An dribblefield simulator improves a dribbler's dribbling skills where the invention simulates a partition of a game dribblefield where dynamic negative space exists between players. The dribblefield simulator can be a moving unit mounted on a fixed chassis with a plurality of dribblefield limiting parts mounted on the fixed chassis and a plurality of dribblefield limiting parts mounted on the moving unit. The chassis can also be a moving chassis. An optional dynamic feedback control system can be mounted on either the fixed or moving chassis that can receive signals from a game projectile and from a dribbler and control the moving units. Multiple moving units can be mounted on either the fixed chassis or the moving chassis.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring athletic performance includes a swivel joint that includes a housing, a coupling member and a sensing device. The housing includes first and second arms, each arm defining an aperture therethrough, the arms defining a gap and being oriented with the respective apertures aligned across the gap from one another. The coupling member includes an axle that passes through the apertures, is rotatable with respect to the housing, forms first and second attachment points, and forms a protrusion that extends outward from the axle. The coupling member further includes a bar that couples with the attachment points, and curves sufficiently to clear ends of the arms as the axle rotates within the apertures. The sensing device is responsive to produce an electrical signal representative of athletic performance when rotation of the coupling member moves the protrusion through a predefined rotational position within the gap.

Abstract: A golf training aid comprising a base, a support arm, and an alignment rod or guide, wherein the base is positioned in front of the target golf ball when the golfer is in position behind the target golf ball. The arm is attached to the base and is normal to the direction of the stroke or swing, wherein the alignment rod or guide is held by the support arm directly above the target golf ball as viewed by the golfer. The system may further comprise an adjustable, telescoping, stationary, or detachable pole with a camera mount and/or camera attached to the pole top and may comprise a camera mount under the base.

Abstract: An elongate substrate strip of durable material with a top side having a linear arrangement of equally spaced circles each representing a regulation size golf ball; the circles being numbered consecutively for use as a reference to indicate ball position and/or foot position. The linear strip may be formed in two segments that are pivotally attached to one another to allow for pivotal swinging movement of one segment relative to the other so that the segments can be extended to a straight linear configuration, a right angle (90 degree) configuration and to a collapsed low profile configuration. The device provides an aid for proper target alignment, body and feet alignment and ball alignment when practicing various golf shots with all types of clubs including woods, short/mid/long irons, wedges and putter. The device also serves as a reference for analyzing divots (i.e., fat, thin, pull, hook) after each practice golf shot.

Abstract: A mouth-guard to be worn by a user includes a main body including a channel, one or more gum protrusions, and a slot; and an insert configured to be inserted into the slot. The insert for the mouth-guard includes one or more liquid chambers and one or more initial orifices on the surface of the insert where each initial orifice is configured to transport liquid from the one or more liquid chambers to an orifice of the main body such that the liquid passes through the orifice of the main body into a user's mouth.

Abstract: A disposable reversible skate blade for an ice skate comprising a thin runner blade held around the edges of a lightweight composite core, and a pair of opposed blade supports, which may be individually replaceable or which may be formed as an integral part of the core. The entire blade assembly is lightweight, easily removable, reversible and replaceable in a skate with little or no requirement for tools, and is inexpensive enough to manufacture that the blade is disposable.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a binding apparatus for use on a splitboard. The binding apparatus may be used to change the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The binding apparatus can include at least one board joining device. The binding apparatus can also include a binding interface configured to receive a boot and selectively attach to a ride mode interface in a snowboard configuration and to a tour mode interface in a ski configuration.

Abstract: A wearable motorized device comprising a shoe bracket, which has a ring-shaped structure and can be fastened to the middle part of a shoe; a wheel, which rotatably supports the shoe bracket to enable lateral skating and longitudinal walking; a driving motor, which rotationally drives the wheel; and a battery pack, which powers the driving motor. The wheels are not coaxially installed on the two sides of the shoe bracket to drive the wearer's longitudinal skating, but are installed on the ring-shaped shoe bracket, which can be fastened to the middle part of the shoe, to support the wearer's lateral skating and longitudinal walking. This way, the wearer can position his/her legs apart during skating; such that the skating stability is improved. Moreover, its general contour does not significantly exceed the contour of the shoe in the longitudinal direction, thus it will not strain the wearer when ascending or descending stairs.

Abstract: A wheel includes a primary ring having a stepped core part and a tire formed of a urethane material as an outer surface thereof, and an auxiliary ring provided on a circumferentially-central portion of the primary ring, on which the tire is provided, in an insertion manner. The primary ring is formed of a plastic material, and the auxiliary ring is formed of a metallic material that is different from the material of the primary ring.

Abstract: A tile-on-shape puzzle game is disclosed using a plurality of unique shape designs having one or more tile projections disposed on one or both faces of the shape. The tile projections are adapted to fit in a recess on a play tile. Optional play cards are used to provide clues or shape designations and scores. Shapes are played to form a puzzle, with each player selecting where to place a shape, thereby forming a unique puzzle each time the game is played. Tiles must fill every play space on a shape to form a word or numerical/shape sequence. Gameplay may be varied based on age and skill level, such as limiting the word or sequence direction to left-right, up-down, diagonal, or a combination thereof, or forming pathways with the puzzle.

Abstract: A ball lottery apparatus include a discharger adapted for discharging individually multiple lottery balls, a lottery field including multiple holes in which the discharged lottery balls can enter, a host controller for executing various controls, a retrieval mechanism adapted for retrieving the lottery balls. When a bingo game is played, the host controller can set the ball lottery apparatus to a normal mode in which an input time point at which each of the lottery balls discharged from the discharger is input to the lottery field depends on a predetermined rule, and to a dealer mode in which the input time point depends on human action.

Abstract: An improved bingo method and apparatus with a plurality of bingo balls numbered from 1 to 40. The plurality of bonus balls has various bonus values and each player has the capacity to place an individualized wager against a wagering establishment. A caller announces the start of the game and the value of a plurality of bonus balls, calls the bingo balls and bonus balls drawn from a random ball generator and announces the outcome of the game after a maximum of 21 spins of the random ball generator. Additional features include the possibility of a peer-to-peer wagering system where each player places identical wagers, plays against the set pool of entry fees and the house retains a percentage of the pot. The game further features a convenient table arrangement that can be played on the main floor of a wagering establishment or a large wagering room.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tile tray configured to facilitate manipulation of tiles. More specifically, the disclosed tile tray includes at least one cell including a bottom, at least one side abutting the bottom and extending upward therefrom, a node extending upward from the bottom and having a flat top surface, and a channel between the node and the at least one side. A tile positioned atop the top surface of the node may be manipulated by pressing a portion of the tile into the channel, thereby raising the opposite portion of the tile, the node serving as a fulcrum. The portion pressed into the channel may be moved along the channel, thereby rotating the tile, or the raised opposite portion may be grasped by a user to flip or move the tile.

Abstract: Software on a server transmits a copy of a string of text data containing game state parameters to a client device executing an instance of a computer-implemented game. The string is serialized and unstructured. The instance modifies the game state parameters according to game logic and events generated by a user as the user plays the game. The software on the server then receives a batch file transmitted after a threshold period of time by the instance. The batch file includes a plurality of events. The software processes the plurality of events in the batch file against game logic to update one or more of game state parameters in the string and stores the text data in the updated string in a persistent database.

Abstract: Described are techniques and systems for providing a virtual controller user interface. The virtual controller user interface of a source media device accepts user input and provides control data based on that input to a target media device. The target media device may process the control data, injecting input events into an operating system of the target media device. An application executing on the target media device may use these inputs.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to providing touch input control of a computing device are disclosed. In one example, responsive to detecting a touch input on a display, a zero point of an adaptive virtual control may be established at a display location of the touch input. Responsive to a translation of the touch input on the display away from the zero point being greater than a radius of the adaptive virtual control, the zero point may be translated.

Abstract: A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toys near or on the peripheral. Each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user's gameplay experience.

Abstract: A computer device is described, comprising a computer storage holding a plurality of identifiers, each associated with an address; an interface connected to receive from a first computer device, game data including a completed first board of a game; and a processor configured to receive the game data to access an address associated with a player identifier and to formulate a message for transmission to a second computer device identified by the address, the message including some or all of the game data, whereby a player at the second computer device receives the message prior to accepting an invitation to play the game. Methods for providing feedback and tile selection are also disclosed in the context of a word matching game.

Abstract: A game engine is configured to accept human intelligence tasks as in-game content and present the in-game content to the game player. A method performed by the game engine enables performance of human intelligence tasks, such as visual discrimination, in a video game context. The game engine may receive a definition of human intelligence tasks from one or more remote sources. The game engine may present the human intelligence tasks to multiple video game participants as in-game content. The game engine defines and enables game play rules for the in-game content. The game play rules set parameters for the multiple video game participants to perform the human intelligence tasks to achieve desired results. The game engine may award each of the multiple video game participants an improved game score upon successful performance of the human intelligence tasks in accordance with the game play rules. The game engine may measure success by consistency in responses between different participants or trials.

Abstract: A method includes running a computer simulation that is controlled at least in part by a handheld controller, displaying images generated by the computer simulation on a display, and projecting at least one image generated by the computer simulation from an image projector coupled to the handheld controller. A system includes a display, a handheld controller, an image projector coupled to the handheld controller, and a processor based apparatus. Another system includes a display, a handheld controller, an image projector that is housed in a unit configured to be releasably docked to the handheld controller, and a processor based apparatus. Storage mediums storing one or more computer programs are also provided.

Abstract: A device for providing the illusion of motion consists of at least two movable parts for stimulating the vestibular sense and the kinaesthetic sense of a user independently from each other. A moving headrest is provided for stimulating the vestibular sense of a user and a moving armrest is provided for stimulating the kinaesthetic sense of a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for adjusting acoustics in real time are provided herein. An acoustic adjustment system can include a processor, a memory, a voxelizer, and a pathing analyzer. The voxelizer can be configured to generate a voxel-based representation of a three-dimensional (3D) interactive media environment. The voxel-based representation includes a number of individual voxels that together represent the environment. The voxelizer can also be configured to identify a plurality of blocked voxels that intersect visual elements of the 3D interactive media environment. The pathing analyzer can be configured to determine, for the clear voxels, audio path information representing a path of clear voxels between the voxel and the location of the listener. The audio path information can be used to adjust sounds emitted by sound emitters in the media environment to realistically reflect the distances the sound travels to reach the listener.

Abstract: A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream. Video frames provided by the video server optionally include overlays added to the output of the GPU. These overlays can include voice data received from another game player.

Abstract: A collaborative diplomacy mechanics system for an online game is described. A player selects an ally to be engaged in a combat mode of an online social game against an enemy. The profile of the selected ally is retrieved. An ally power up weapon is generated based on the profile of the selected ally. The ally power up weapon is applied against a combat unit of an enemy of a player in the combat mode. The ally power up weapon can also be applied on a combat unit of the player in the combat mode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for managing audio chat for an online video game or application. For example, a system according to one embodiment comprises: an online video game or application execution engine to execute an online video game or application in response to input from one or more users of the video game or application and to responsively generate audio and video of the video game or application; and a chat subsystem to establish audio chat sessions with the one or more users and one or more spectators to the video game or application, the chat subsystem establishing a plurality of audio chat channels including a spectator channel over which the spectators participate in audio chat and a user channel over which the users participate in audio chat.

Abstract: A ride assembly includes a ride vehicle configured to carry one or more passengers and to move in a direction along a ride path, a first passenger seat of the ride vehicle having a seatback, where the first passenger seat is configured to seat a first passenger of the one or more passengers, and where the seatback is configured to rotate with respect to the ride vehicle from a loading position to an active position, a second passenger seat of the ride vehicle positioned behind the first passenger seat with respect to the direction, where the second passenger seat is configured to seat a second passenger of the one or more passengers, and a passenger restraint coupled to the seatback of the first passenger seat, where the passenger restraint is configured to secure the second passenger in the second passenger seat when the seatback is in the active position.

Abstract: The device includes an accelerometer for sensing movement in more than one direction, a sound chip for generating a pre-recorded sound in response to the sensed movement and a circuit for controlling the speed at which the pre-recorded sound is generated in response to the sensed movement, as a function of the direction of the sensed movement. The accelerometer senses the magnitude of movement. The sound chip generates sound in response to movement of a magnitude exceeding a pre-set level. The accelerator senses movement in at least two, preferably three directions. The sound chip includes an oscillator which determines the speed at which a pre-recorded sound is processed. The control means provides a control signal which sets the sound chip to generate the sound signal with a speed which is a function of the number of directions of sensed movement.

Abstract: An interactive toy for a child, the interactive toy having a body, a central processing unit (CPU), a wireless communication module, a memory module, a batter module, and a plurality of input/output modules. The body has an ornamental exterior, at least one input button, and a perforated surface section. The CPU includes an imbedded control logic for operating the toy. The wireless communication module is electrically connected for data exchange with the CPU. The memory module is electrically connected for data exchange with the CPU. The battery module is electrically connected to the CPU for providing electrical power. The plurality of input/output modules is electrically connected to the CPU for sending and receiving input signals between the child and the CPU.

Abstract: The device includes an accelerometer for sensing a parameter of movement, such as direction and/or magnitude. A pre-recorded sound is played in response to the sensed movement. The speed and/or pitch at which the pre-recorded sound is played is a function of the sensed movement parameter. There may be one or more pre-recorded sounds from which playback is chosen. In one embodiment, hardwired circuits set the characteristics of the generated sound in accordance with the accelerometer output. In a second embodiment, the software selects which pre-recorded sound to play and sets the characteristics of the sound based upon parameters sensed by the accelerometer.

Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.

Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.

Abstract: The current invention provides a kit of playing materials. The kit includes an inflatable foil, which is suitable for receiving and containing a gas and for forming a balloon. The foil has a colorable area, which covers the foil at least partially. The kit also includes a set of wax-based coloring agents, which can be applied directly onto the foil. Due to the light-weight properties of the foil, the balloon is floating in the air when filled with helium. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for providing one or more colorable balloons.

Abstract: A toy construction system comprising a releasably connectable tendon or tether (“tendon”) to connect to at least two building blocks. The tendon being resiliently deformable and providing a range of motion for each of at least two blocks, relative to each other, in at least two Cartesian axes. The tendon having an engagement, and each block having a corresponding receiving element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic toy containing a light irradiator equipped with a light source and a toy main body containing a photochromic compound, in which the light source has a peak wavelength in the range of from 400 nm to 495 nm and the photochromic compound satisfies the following expression (1) between the integrated value of absorbance (x) in the range of from a wavelength showing a maximum absorbance in less than 400 nm to a wavelength of 400 nm and the integrated value of absorbance (y) in the wavelength range of from 400 nm to 700 nm. y/x?0.

Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.

Abstract: In this method for refining silicon by vacuum melting, the falling of impurity condensate from an impurity trap located above a crucible and contamination of the molten silicon are prevented. A crucible for housing molten silicon, and a heating means for heating the crucible are located inside a treatment chamber equipped with a vacuum pump; further provided are: an impurity trap having an impurity condensation unit for cooling and condensing the vapor of impurities evaporating from the liquid surface of the molten silicon; and a contamination prevention device for preventing contamination of the molten silicon, having an impurity catch unit for catching impurities when impurities trapped by the impurity trap fall.

Abstract: Fractionation systems utilizing a single rectifying column with a stripping column housed in the same vessel and having a uniform diameter are described. Methods of separating feed streams using the fractionation systems are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the vacuum purification of chemical compounds and to an apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A solvent extraction apparatus comprises a cooler for condensing solvent vapor and a funnel provided towards its lower end. The funnel has an upper surface at which terminates a central downwards directed elongate outlet having an internal exit port formed in a side wall. A vertically movable lifting rod passes through the cooler and the outlet. A section of the lifting rod is shaped to delimit a passage-way for condensate while simultaneously sealing the port. A liquid guide is provided at the upper surface to preferentially direct flow of condensate towards the passage-way.

Abstract: An adsorption carrier-packed column includes a central pipe, adsorption carrier, plate A, and plate B, wherein an insertion material C is inserted between the adsorption carrier and the plate A; an insertion material D is inserted between the adsorption carrier and the plate B; the ratio of the deformation rate of the insertion material C (C1) to the deformation rate of the adsorption carrier (E0) is 1<C1/E0<10, and the ratio of the deformation rate of the insertion material D (D1) to the deformation rate of the adsorption carrier (E0) is 1<D1/E0<10; and the ratio of the thickness of the insertion material C (TC) to the distance of a gap between the adsorption carrier and the plate A (LA) is 1.1<TC/LA<4, and the ratio of the thickness of the insertion material D (TD) to the distance of a gap between the adsorption carrier and the plate B (LB) is 1.1<TD/LB<4.

Abstract: An ion exchanger for a coolant circuit is provided with a housing that has an inlet and an outlet for a coolant. An ion exchanger medium is disposed in the housing. The housing is made of a plastic material and is an injection-molded part. A first plastic filter element is arranged in the outlet and embedded by injection molding in the first plastic material of the housing. In the inlet, a second plastic filter element is arranged and embedded by injection molding in the plastic material of the housing.

Abstract: A primary separation apparatus for separating natural gas from high pressure, high velocity production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, natural gas, and isolation plug cuttings.

Abstract: A mobile flocculation and water treatment system includes at least one tank, preferably a series of adjoining tanks separated by weirs, and an adjacent pump house mounted on a mobile platform. At least one pump is mounted in the pump house. Fluid conduits run from the pumps to the tank. An overflow is mounted between the downstream tank and the pump house whereby fluid overflow from the tanks is directed into the pump house. The pump house provides a substantially water-tight reservoir zone to provide secondary containment. Water to be treated enters the upstream end of the tanks and is discharged from the downstream end.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a pumping system for use in a tailings pond is provided. The pumping system comprises a pump support and at least one mooring element coupled to the pump support. The at least one mooring element has an extended position for fixing the pump support to a bed of the tailings pond, and a retracted position for permitting movement of the pump support towards a shore of the tailings pond. The at least one mooring element is configured for transitioning from the extended position to the retracted position when a distance from the shore to the pump support exceeds a threshold as a result of a change to tailings pond geometry, and for returning to the extended position following movement of the pump support to reduce the distance below the threshold.

Abstract: A material separation system and method is disclosed. The system may include a buoy having a volume that includes or houses a reacting component. The buoy may be placed in a container to hold the material to be separated during a separation procedure. The separated material may be used to various procedures following separation.

Abstract: In one example, a flume is provided that is suitable for use in connection with a filter cartridge of a water filtration system. The flume includes a hollow body that can be received within a chassis of a pitcher, and the hollow body further includes an inlet and an outlet. Flume surfaces within the hollow body cooperate to at least partly define a fluid passage extending from the inlet to the outlet. A contact portion of the flume is located proximate the outlet and engageable with a filter cartridge such that when the contact portion is engaged with the filter cartridge, a portion of the filter cartridge engaged by the flume is located outside of the fluid passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a threaded safety cap for a high pressure, high temperature filter press. One disclosed filter press includes a cell having an open end, a cap configured to be threadably coupled to the open end and comprising a retaining ring defining a central orifice and a cap seal having a longitudinal extension configured to extend through the central orifice, one or more filtration components, and one or more seals, wherein, then the cap is threadably coupled to the cell, the cap secures the one or more seals and the one or more filtration components within the cell.