Abstract: An instrumented, swing path adjustable, angle-adjustable batting tee is disclosed that measures both a bat speed and a ball exit velocity as a hitter swings a bat and initiates contact with a ball positioned on the tee. A bat speed radar detector is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of the ball set on the tee so that the bat speed radar detector measures the bat speed upon the bat initiating contact with the ball. A ball exit velocity radar is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of a ball flight of the ball as it leaves the bat so that the ball exit velocity radar measures the ball exit velocity of the ball in-flight after contact between the bat and the ball. The ball flight is a path that the ball travels after contact between the bat and a baseball or softball.

Abstract: A training apparatus for ball-playing sports comprising a tether having a first end affixed to a connector module and a second end affixed to a ball securing device. The ball securing device is configured to secure a ball therein. A belt may be configured to have the connector module engaged therewith where the belt is to be worn around a waist of a user. The connector module operable to traverse a length of the belt in response to a throwing force applied to the ball.

Abstract: A workout apparatus for use by a user to simulate core movement patterns of bike riding is provided. The workout apparatus includes a base deck disposed on a ground surface, a frame assembly pivotably mounted to the base deck and comprising a front portion and a rear portion, a handle bar coupled to the front portion of the frame assembly, and a pair of hydraulic damper units coupled to the frame assembly and base deck, the first hydraulic damper unit coupled to the base deck and front portion of the frame assembly, the second hydraulic damper unit coupled to the base deck and rear portion of the frame assembly. The user on the base deck grabs the handle bar to perform a pushing or pulling motion, thereby enabling the first hydraulic damper unit or second hydraulic damper unit to provide resistance to movement of the frame assembly.

Abstract: Generally, described are methods, apparatuses and systems for a recommendation engine which determines a recommendation based upon a terrestrial parameter and an overall factor unrelated to the terrestrial parameter. The recommendation engine may receive as inputs: (1) some data relating to the terrestrial parameter and (2) some data relating to user operation of a mechanical device. An overall factor may be calculated or obtained, at least in part, from the data relating to user operation of the mechanical device. And based upon the data relating to the terrestrial parameter and the overall factor, a recommendation may be determined and transmitted. In one embodiment, as part of the transmission process, the recommendation may be displayed to a user requesting the recommendation.

Abstract: A golf training aid is provided. The golf training aid includes a brace. The brace has a looped strap configured to wrap around and attach to an arm of a user. An elongated rod includes a top end and a bottom end. A first connector rod includes a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to and extends laterally from the top end of the elongated rod and the second end is coupled to the brace. A second connector rod includes a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to and extending laterally from the bottom end of the elongated rod. A clamp is coupled to the second end of the second connector rod and is configured to secure to a shaft of a golf club.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and measuring performance characteristics and metrics of participants and vehicles. These performance characteristics and metrics include, but not are limited to, airtime, g-force, spin, rotation, drop distance, acceleration, and video and still images. These vehicles include, but are not limited to a snowboard, ski, skateboard, wakeboard, motorcycle, bicycle, ice skates and rollerblades. In one implementation, a camera provides near real-time images and video footage of a participant's actions on a vehicle which can be correlated with performance metrics. The camera may be located on the participant, the participant's vehicle or other equipment, or from some other observation point. The images recorded by the camera can be downloaded to a recording or other storage device to produce memorabilia (e.g., a CD ROM, or video cassette). If desired, the images can be sent in real-time through an event system and network (e.g.

Abstract: A foldable longboard composed of a deck split in multiple sections connected on their lower surface with a folding assembly having an indivisible flexible element capable of bending near the interface between the different sections of the deck, allowing therefore said sections to be rotated in one direction to a folded position where the bottom surfaces of each section face each other, while inhibiting said sections to rotate in the other direction, against each other's top surface, when the longboard is in its elongated configuration.

Abstract: A mobilized cooler device comprising a fork hanger assembly is disclosed herein. Cooler devices according to the present disclosure can comprise a platform, an attached cooler body and fork hangers connecting cog-hub assemblies to the platform. Fork hangers can be positioned such that a portion of a first fork hanger adjacent to a first end of the platform is attached to a first end of a cog-hub assembly and a second portion of the first fork hanger adjacent to a second end of the platform that is opposite the first end of the platform is attached to a second end of the cog-hub assembly. Additional fork hangers can be similarly configured. The cooler device can further incorporate additional features, including a treading positioned between the fork hangers and at least partially surrounding the cog-hub assemblies, various cog-hub assemblies and shapes, and motors incorporated into the cog-hub assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling cards has a dispensing end. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for conducting a primary lottery game in conjunction with a televised game show and a play-at-home version of the show. In the primary lottery game, players purchase lottery tickets, with each ticket having a unique web code. Players of the primary lottery game become eligible to be a contestant in the show by accumulating a predefined set of game symbols in the lottery game. During broadcast of the game show, a plurality of game symbol codes are provided to at-home viewers of the show who are also players of the primary lottery game. The at-home viewers are able to access a website, enter the web code from their lottery ticket, enter one the game symbol codes broadcast with the game show, and play a web-based game to win a game symbol associated with the entered game symbol code.

Abstract: A virtual reality tracking system accurately determines one or more controller orientations using data from tracking cameras and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in each controller. Each controller has two or more distinctive light-emitting tracking markers. The tracking system determines the locations of the tracking markers based on the location of tracking markers in tracking camera's images. The tracking system determines the controller orientation using the locations of the tracking markers and orientation data from the IMU. When the camera views of the markers are obstructed the tracking system relies solely on the less-accurate orientation data from the IMU.

Abstract: A display housing for a head mounted image display apparatus, said display housing being configured to be mounted to the head of a user with a pair of optical visual units adapted to present a virtual image to the user and a pair of earphones for providing sound to the user, each of the earphones attached to a respective side of the housing via a respective wire. The display housing comprises a linear wire retraction assembly situated thereacross, the wire retraction assembly configured to control the amount that a respective wire is pulled from the housing to allow each earphone to be selectably movable between a first, retracted state and a second, extended state.

Abstract: A system and method for entering text within a video game application are described.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for processing information according to a command, including: an acceptor which repeatedly accepts an operation to designate a plurality of command elements of said command, said acceptor repeatedly performing to designate each of said command elements of said command; a determiner which determines whether or not a command satisfies an execution allowable condition after said acceptor accepts the operation designating the command element, wherein the determination of whether the command satisfies the execution allowable condition does not depend on an order of the repeated accepting processes by said acceptor or a sequence in which the command elements are designed in the repeated accepting processes by said acceptor; and an information processor which executes, when said determiner determines that the command satisfies the execution allowable condition, processing information according to said command.

Abstract: A thick-game client device includes all of the game data processing on-board while a thin-game client device includes only a small portion of game data processing such as to render visual displays while the majority of the game data processing is network based. A thick-voice client devices includes all of the voice processing on-board while a thin-voice client device includes only a small portion of the voice processing such as to generate acoustic parameter data discussed below while the remainder of the voice processing occurs at a voice services node. It will be appreciated that a client device may be thick with respect to both game processing and voice processing, may be thick with respect to one type of processing and thin with respect to the other, or may be thin with respect to both types of processing.

Abstract: A method of displaying a game is performed at a computing device, the method including: receiving a first user input of pausing a game in progress; in response to receiving the first user input, causing the game to switch from a normal state to a pause state; detecting a second user input of resuming the game from the pause state to the normal state; in response to detecting the second user input: causing the game to switch from the pause state to a transition state, wherein the game progresses at a gradually increasing rate as a function of an elapsed time since a start of the transition state; and displaying the game at the gradually increasing rate until the game reaches a game progress rate associated with the normal state at or prior to the receipt of the first user input.

Abstract: Moving image information is stored in a plurality of types in accordance with different actions of the subject, and a first moving image is switched to a second moving image by inserting an interpolation image that connects a frame image at the end of the first moving image to a frame image at the beginning of the second moving image. According to the present disclosure, a wide variety of actions performed by the subject can be expressed while using live-action moving images.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel game apparatus on which a plurality of characters are controlled in a virtual space. An example game apparatus 10 executing a game in which each of a plurality of players controls his/her plurality of characters in a virtual space includes a first input unit 11 and a second input unit 12 for receiving a command from a first player and a second player respectively, and an information processing unit 14 causing the characters controlled by the first player to act according to a first player's command and causing the characters controlled by the second player to act according to a second player's command, wherein the plurality of characters controlled by the first player are on an equality with each other and the plurality of characters controlled by the second player are on an equality with each other.

Abstract: A method of multi-character interaction scenario may include identifying three or more game characters associated with a game and assigning the three or more identified game characters to one or more predefined animation roles associated with one or more interaction scenarios of the game. The method may further include selecting one or more interaction scenario animations that comprise the three or more identified game characters and corresponding assigned animation roles. The method may further include providing the identified game characters, the corresponding assigned animation roles, and the selected interaction scenario animations for display in the game.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a content providing method for a content providing server to provide contents to client terminals via a network. The method includes: obtaining play data indicating progress conditions of a computer game progressing according to user operation on the client terminals; evaluating game plays by each predetermined evaluation item on a basis of the play data; obtaining data of a moving image of a game play extracted according to an evaluation result; and distributing the data of the moving image to the client terminals via the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a playable video game, or playable video game levels, from a three-dimensional model comprising a plurality of various-colored blocks disposed on a grid. A set of software modules processes a digital image of the static model to translate its component elements into video game elements in a level file, which may then be played using a game driver.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium, and a computer-implemented method are directed to a Contact Ranking Engine (hereinafter “CR Engine”). The CR Engine identifies a plurality of contacts of a player of a first game on a gaming network environment (or a game networking system). The CR Engine collects contact attributes for each of the plurality of contacts from one or more contact attribute sources. The CR Engine requests a first configuration table related to the first game. Upon receiving the first configuration table, the CR Engine scores the collected contact attributes of each contact of the player according to one or more updateable rules of the first configuration table. The CR Engine ranks in a contacts ranking list each contact based on a respective score. The CR Engine selects a portion of the contacts ranking list. The CR Engine displays each contact from the selected portion.

Abstract: A slide system has a base inflatable structure capable of sustaining an air pressure, and a slide surface supported by the base inflatable structure. A lower slide flap forms a bottom end of the slide surface, and a lower slide support of the base inflatable structure supports the lower slide flap. A bumper body receives air pressure from the base inflatable structure to inflate to form a protrusion that extends upwardly from the lower slide support when inflated. A restraint structure restrains the bumper body to a flattened configuration, but when the restraint structure is released, the bumper body inflates to form the protrusion that forms a bumper at the bottom of the slide.

Abstract: An Euler disc comprises a metal disc body having a maximum radius, an upper surface, a lower surface, a circular polished rounded edge joining the upper surface and the lower surface, and a maximum thickness. The upper surface is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the disc body that is above a horizontal bisector line and outside of a vertical quarter line drawn at one half of the maximum radius is less than 75% of the cross-sectional area of the disc body that is below the horizontal bisector line and outside of the vertical quarter line.

Abstract: A multi-configurable toy vehicle is described. The multi-configurable toy vehicle comprises a cab and a vehicle body. The cab comprises a first set of one or more wheels and the vehicle body comprises a second set of one or more wheels. The vehicle body is slidably coupled to the cab between a collapsed and expanded configuration. The vehicle body comprises a floor and a platform pivotally coupled to the floor between an upright position and an open position. A trailer may be coupled to the multi-configurable toy vehicle.

Abstract: The method serves to control substances present in a liquid; a liquid mass is brought to temperature and pressure conditions such as to give rise to an appreciable evaporation of the liquid mass; at least one solid surface is arranged, in part inside the liquid mass and in part outside the liquid mass so as to establish at least a meniscus of the liquid on this solid surface; the shape and/or the size and/or the extension and/or the position and/or the temperature of this meniscus is controlled so that the evaporation of the liquid through said meniscus is controlled; any deposition of these substances is also controlled.

Abstract: A high-rate hydrothermal cleanup (HCU) process and system is disclosed for the rapid hydrolysis of renewable oils and reduction of inorganic and organic contaminants, such as salts, minerals, metals, asphaltenes, polymers, and coke precursors in both renewable oils and petroleum fractions. The process and system is characterized by a very short residence time, high-temperature, high-pressure, turbulent flow, hydrothermal operation. The HCU and integrated vapor-liquid separation system and process results in high yields of oil product that contains significantly reduced concentrations of inorganic and organic contaminants. The process may be operated to produce a concentrated clean glycerin byproduct and short-chain and long-chain free fatty acid product streams.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to at least one reusable module of a sorbent cartridge in a sorbent dialysis system and a method of using the same. One of the drawbacks of a conventional sorbent dialysis system is the high cost. In one aspect of the invention, the sorbent cartridge contains at least one module for optionally recharging sorbent materials in-line with an optional bypass and conduits for the sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can have two or more modules that are connected to one another through connectors. The modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials contained in the modules can be recharged.

Abstract: Disclosed are a backwashing fluid discharge apparatus and a filter unit. The backwashing fluid discharge apparatus includes a plurality of drainage members installed so as to be located within a filter member in order to discharge backwash fluid moved to an inside of the filter member, and the drainage members have different diameters so as to form a plurality of inlet holes for introduction of the backwash fluid, and the drainage members have different lengths such that the inlet holes are located at different heights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water filters utilizing disc filter elements and in particular, to such a filtering apparatus having self-cleaning capabilities by utilizing automated back-flushing to clean the filtering elements where the self-cleaning process is enhanced by introducing a secondary flowing fluid, preferably atmospheric air, into the back-flushing stream. The filter apparatus is further enhanced with a disc filter spine having a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the spine channels that may be adapted to produce a cleaning flowing fluid jet stream at a variety of angles facilitating cleaning, separation and spinning of the disc filtering elements. The filter apparatus may further enhance the cleaning process by introducing a flushing apparatus adapted to facilitate removal of effluent from the filter.

Abstract: Described are filter cartridges comprising: a cartridge body and a filter media; a stem extending from the cartridge body, the stem having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a stem face that comprises a first valve driving surface and a second valve driving surface; and at least one lug attached to either the filter body or the stem having a leading engagement edge. The filter cartridges are suitable for translational insertion and rotational engagement of a manifold, wherein upon translation insertion, a valve engagement member of the filter cartridge engages a portion of a valve body of a manifold valve; during a first stage rotation, one or more retaining members of the filter cartridge engage a manifold cam of a manifold; and during a second stage rotation, the valve engagement member imparts rotational movement to the valve body. Systems and methods incorporating the filter cartridges are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter medium for cleaning fluids includes a filter layer (9) formed from a filter material in a pleated web with a longitudinal direction (X) and a transverse direction (Y). A plastic grid (10) forms a support layer, bears against the filter layer (9) and has linear elements (12, 14) delimiting through openings (16) between them. Two groups of linear elements (12, 14) extend approximately at right angles to one another and delimit rectangular through openings (16). The linear elements (14) having a smaller diameter (d2) are in direct contact with the filter layer (9). The linear elements (12) having a larger diameter (d1) and having a greater spacing from one another relative to the filter layer (9) rest on the smaller diameter linear elements (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dirt from an airflow, the apparatus comprising an air inlet, an impeller for generating an airflow through the apparatus and for generating swirl within the airflow, the swirl throwing the dirt radially outwards and producing an outer dirty portion and an inner clean portion of airflow downstream of the impeller, and one or more splitters downstream of the impeller that bifurcate the airflow, separating the outer dirty portion from the inner clean portion.

Abstract: An air cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing, and a filter element, which is located inside the upper casing and the lower casing. The upper casing includes an inlet, a lower opening, and a peripheral wall, which defines the lower opening. The lower casing includes an outlet and covers the lower opening of the upper casing. A looped application surface is formed on the lower casing. The filter element is fixed to the lower casing with an adhesive applied to the application surface of the lower casing. A protrusion, which is formed on the peripheral wall of the upper casing, is inserted into the adhesive.

Abstract: A filter element has a curved filter medium body, which at least partially encloses a flow chamber, and a carrier connector that is guided through the filter medium body. The carrier connector is a carrier of a sealing element for sealing the contact with a flow channel, wherein a section of the sealing element is arranged between the carrier connector and the filter medium body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a backing net for a media pack. The backing net comprises a plurality of longitudinal beams and at least one vane and the longitudinal beam has first and second ends and is arranged to be mounted to the media pack in the longitudinal direction. The vane is attached to longitudinal beams and arranged to extend in the lateral direction of the media pack and adapted to direct an air flow passing through the backing net in a preferred direction. The invention further relates to a media pack with a backing net and a V-type filter having a plurality of media packs.

Abstract: A filter insert is useful for the separation of liquid droplets from a gas flow, particularly a gas flow from an internal combustion engine. The filter insert includes a media packet with layered portions of filter media. The media packet includes at least one layer of filter media with capillary effect to close the media packet to gas passage.

Abstract: A gas separation cartridge including a housing comprising an inlet port for an air sample to enter; a top cover attached to the housing; an upper cavity comprising individual chambers comprised of a chemical or an absorbent or a mixture thereof attached to the top cover wherein each end of each chamber has an opening; a bottom cover attached to the upper cavity, wherein the bottom cover comprises a lower cavity, a separate opening for an air sample traveling from an individual chamber to pass through, and a separate opening for an air sample that does not pass through an individual chamber; and a base upon which the bottom cover of the cartridge is seated, wherein the base has an exit port.

Abstract: A filter medium includes a first porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, a first air-permeable support member, a second porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, and a second air-permeable support member. A surface of the filter medium is formed by the first porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. A bond strength, as measured by a 180° peel test, between the first porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and the first air-permeable support member is higher than 1.2 N/25 mm and higher than a bond strength, as measured by the 180° peel test, between the first air-permeable support member and the second porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.

Abstract: Ozonized biochar compositions and methods for creating advanced hydrophilic biochar materials are provided with higher cation exchange capacity, optimized pH, improved wettability, and free of potential toxic components. These ozonized biochar compositions are used as filtration materials, as biochar soil additives and as carbon sequestration agents to help control climate change for energy and environmental sustainability on Earth.

Abstract: A gas purification getter for purifying a gas. The getter includes a canister having a cylinder body including a corrugated wall, an inlet end cap coupled to an inlet end of the cylinder body and an outlet end cap coupled to an outlet end of the cylinder body so that the cylinder body, the inlet end cap and the outlet end cap define a sealed chamber. The getter also includes a powder bed of a getter material provided within the chamber so that a flow of the gas from the inlet end to the outlet end is purified by the getter material. Voids in the powder bed when the canister is horizontally oriented are limited to raised portions in the corrugated wall so that there is no short circuit path for the gas to flow from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a staged complementary swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using pressure swing adsorption to separate and/or capture resulting emissions are provided. A stream of recycled exhaust gas is passed into a first swing adsorption reactor comprising a first adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. An enriched N2 stream is recovered from a forward end of the first swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the first swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The first swing adsorption reactor is purged with a portion of the first N2 stream recovered from the first swing adsorption reactor. The first purge output is passed to a second swing adsorption reactor comprising a second adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. A second N2 stream is recovered from the second swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the second swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The second swing adsorption reactor is purged with a steam purge.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying a gaseous mixture containing acidic gases, such as a natural gas, including contacting the gaseous mixture with an absorbent solution including: from 35% to 45% by weight of at least one tertiary amine relative to the total weight of the absorbent solution; from 4% to 12% by weight of at least one activator relative to the total weight of the absorbent solution selected from the primary amines and the secondary amines, the total content of tertiary amine and activator being from 38% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the absorbent solution, and the total concentration of tertiary amine and activator being between 3.8 and 4.2 mol/L; from 17% to 25% by weight of at least one C2 to C4 thioalkanol relative to the total weight of the absorbent solution; and the remainder being water to reach 100% by weight.

Abstract: Filter bag assembly for use in cleaning of process gas comprising an outer tubular filter bag and one or more inner tubular filter bags separately arranged within the outer tubular filter bag, and said one or more inner tubular filter bags also separately arranged within each other, the one or more inner tubular filter bags and the outer tubular filter bags having an open end and a closed end, and at least one of the inner tubular filter bags and/or the outer tubular filter bag being provided with catalytically active material.

Abstract: Methods for the combined elimination of both ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen, which are contained in one or more waste gas streams in an industrial plant, are disclosed herein. The method is effectuated by combined oxidation and reduction according to the reduction-oxidation process, wherein the ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are completely or partially reacted by chemical reaction to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. The waste gas stream containing ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen is passed over one or more catalysts for the combined oxidation and reduction, and the oxygen content in the waste gas stream is set in such a way that ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are oxidized first in an oxidation zone to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water, and the nitrogen oxides resulting therefrom are subsequently reduced in a reduction zone to form elemental nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-way catalytic converter for reducing harmful exhaust components of gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, and to a corresponding method for exhaust gas purification. The catalytic converter is characterized by a particularly inhomogeneous distribution of the oxygen-storing material present.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalyst device 100 according to an aspect of the present invention includes a catalyst support 20 supporting a catalyst thereon, a thin plate-like wiring line member 40 fixed on an outer circumferential surface of the catalyst support 20, an outer cylinder 70 with an opening 71 formed on its side, the outer cylinder 70 covering the outer circumferential surface of the catalyst support 20, the opening 71 being configured for externally pulling out the wiring line member 40, and a holding member 60, the holding member 60 filling up space between the catalyst support 20 and the outer cylinder 70 and thereby holding the catalyst support 20, in which the catalyst support 20 is electrically heated through the wiring line member 40. A pull-out part 43 of the wiring line member 40 pulled out through the opening 71 is formed in an accordion shape.

Abstract: A system and related method for controlling reductant dosing in a selective catalyst reduction system includes a chamber containing a catalyst, and a controllable reductant dosing system that includes a controllable injector connected to a reservoir of reductant, and a controller that obtains inlet exhaust temperature, speed, and composition information, for example, from one or more sensors in the exhaust stream. The controller solves a set of coupled equations comprising (i) one-dimensional, steady ammonia mass balance equations and (ii) one-dimensional, steady species mass transfer equations, to calculate a one-dimensional distribution of ammonia storage in the catalyst and a one-dimensional distribution of exhaust species concentrations through the SCR system including a concentration of ammonia and a concentration of one or more nitrogen oxides at the SCR outlet; and uses the solution to control the injector. The method has been found to anticipate ammonia and NOx slip.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods for formation of a novel PBI asymmetric hollow fiber membrane and its application for gas separations, gas/vapor separations, gas/liquid separations (i.e., pervaporation), and liquid separations including solute molecule removal from organic solvents and water.