Abstract: A lower back exercise apparatus exercises or imparts laterally and upwardly directed movements into a user's lower back when seated thereupon. The lower back exercise apparatus includes a lower base assembly, an upper seat assembly, and a motor assembly. The lower base assembly includes an upper, laterally concave base surface. The upper seat assembly includes a lower, laterally convex seat surface and an upper seat surface. The upper seat assembly is laterally ridable upon and movable relative to the lower base assembly. The motor assembly is drives a laterally directed, cylindrical arc length trajectory of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower base assembly. The concave and convex surfacing have a common radius of curvature with a common fulcrum point spatially located adjacent an upper portion of a user's lumbar spinal region. Lateral flexion is thus imparted into a user's lower back when a user is seated thereupon.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus with an adjustable rotating element around which a force transferring material wraps either clockwise or counterclockwise to provide bidirectional rotational resistance for exercising. The force transferring material is preferably guided to remain in close proximity to the rotating element while wrapping around the rotating element.

Abstract: A collapsible exercise assembly for performing dip exercises includes a pair of uprights that may each be vertically oriented on a support surface. Each of the uprights may be gripped thereby facilitating dip exercises to be performed. A folding unit is coupled between the pair of uprights. The folding unit is selectively positioned in a deployed position having the uprights being spaced a selected distance apart from each other. The folding unit is selectively positioned in a folded position having each of the uprights being spaced a minimum distance apart from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for using virtual or augmented reality in sports training, an exemplary method including detecting a position of a real ball, determining a trajectory for a virtual ball, the trajectory intersecting with the detected position of the real ball, displaying, by a virtual or augmented reality display device, a virtual pitch of the virtual ball along the trajectory intersecting with the detected position of the real ball, detecting, by a sensor included in a glove worn by the player, vibrations caused by an impact between a bat held by the player and the real ball, determining whether a level of the vibrations is within a predetermined range, sending a signal, to a speaker, when the level of the vibrations is within the predetermined range, to cause the speaker to emit an audible tone, and emitting, by the speaker, the audible tone.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for providing customized exercise-related recommendations. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, a classification model may be trained with fitness-related information (e.g., exercise information, user profile information, and/or vital sign information) of a group of users. The classification model may be configured to output a classification for input data (e.g., fitness-related information of a particular user). A recommendation corresponding to a classification may be identified and provided to a particular user. User compliance with provided recommendations and subsequent user progress may be tracked to determine when recommendations were effective at bringing about a desired result (e.g., progressing the user toward a goal). Additionally, the system may determine when classifications have been inaccurately determined and/or when expected progress data has not provided a realistic path by which a user may progress toward a goal.

Abstract: An exercise equipment and method for use is disclosed having a program that calls for user specific anthropometric data and then utilizes the data to create a user specific workout program based on the user's physical characteristics. The user inputs of personal anthropometric data includes, but is not limited to, sex, height, weight, goals, maximum heart rate, maximum run speed, maximum walk speed, and VO2 max. These inputs are used to optimize a workout program either in single use or multiple use applications. Moreover, data can be stored locally, on a network, or transferred to a cloud based repository for recall.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

Abstract: A coupling for securing a golf shaft to a golf club head includes a first component configured to contact, and engage with, the golf shaft, and a second component bonded to the first component and configured to space the first component from the golf club head. The second component includes a second material having a Young's modulus less than a first material of the first component. In another aspect, a coupling includes a shaft engagement element, and a spacer configured to space the first component from the golf club head so that the golf shaft is above the golf club head in its entirety. The spacer includes a material having a Young's modulus no greater than about 10 Gpa. In another aspect, a kit includes a first coupling and a second coupling with at least one of a structural configuration or a material of a vibration dampening element differing.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a loft angle no less than 18°, a striking face, a sole portion, and a top portion having an exterior surface. In an imaginary vertical plane spaced from a face center by no more than 10 mm and perpendicular to an imaginary striking face plane, an imaginary line segment has a length of 25 mm, a first endpoint located in the imaginary striking face plane, a second endpoint located above the exterior surface, and forms an angle ? with the striking face plane between 55° and 65°. The line segment is tangent to the exterior surface at a first point. A second point is located on the imaginary line segment and spaced from the first point by no less than 1 mm. The second point is spaced from the exterior surface by a gap distance that is no greater than 0.15 mm.

Abstract: A golf club head including a club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a top rail and a sole. The golf club head including a plurality of grooves disposed on the club face between the top rail and the sole. Each groove extends between the toe end and the heel end. Widths of the grooves vary in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure in the form of a channel positioned on at least one surface of the body. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness, such as a porous or cellular stiffening structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a front portion having a face portion with a face portion thickness extending between a front surface and a back surface. The body portion may be associated with a body portion volume. The golf club head may also include an interior cavity. The interior cavity may include an elastic polymer material. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A putter-type golf club head has a top portion, a bottom portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a striking face having a variably textured region. The variably textured region includes a central portion and an outer portion laterally spaced from the central portion towards one of the heel portion and the toe portion. The central portion has a material ratio of less than 20% at a cutoff height of 0.1 mm and the outer portion has a material ratio greater than that of the central portion at the cutoff height of 0.1 mm. Variation of the textured region provides consistent ball speed upon impact at different lateral positions of the striking face.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a golf bag, the golf bag including an outer assembly having an opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly, a base assembly having a center post connected to the first end of the outer assembly, an inner assembly including a center shaft which connects a top plate on the first end and a bottom plate on the second end, wherein the center shaft fits over the center post, and the outer assembly surrounds the inner assembly and the inner assembly rotates around the center post of the base assembly.

Abstract: A tetherable golf tee and teeing system are disclosed herein. One golf tee includes a body including a first end for inserting into an external surface and a second end opposite the first end and a crown located on the second end, the crown configured for resting a golf ball thereon. The body further includes a hollow portion and a first aperture located between the first end and the second end to access the hollow portion and for tethering the golf tee to another object. The crown includes a second aperture to further access the hollow portion. A golf tee system includes at least two of the above golf tees tethered together via a tethering apparatus.

Abstract: In a novel approach to golf club counter-weighting, directed to grip design for original golf club manufacture as well as for after-market grip replacement and user-weighting, quick and easy manual snap-in installation and threaded-tool-assisted removal of a weightable cap portion of the grip are accomplished by special shaping of an annular cap-to-grip interface configuration featuring a tongue-and-groove cross-sectional pattern that utilizes stretching of grip material per its elastic properties to implement the snap-in concept.

Abstract: A shock and vibration absorbing system includes a shock and vibration dampener disposed within a handle or tapered section of a bat. The dampener includes at least one elastomeric dampening element for supporting a mass in suspension within the bat without the mass contacting an inner surface of the bat. The dampening elements include a body having the mass extending therethrough and a plurality of spaced apart projections having distal ends in contact with an inner surface of the bat.

Abstract: A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face, a weight port, an internal cavity, and a stiffening member. The weight port is affixed to the sole. The stiffening member is located in the interior cavity and permanently affixed to the hosel. The stiffening member is also permanently affixed to the sole and the weight port.

Abstract: A sporting equipment cover consisting of a custom three-dimensional printed figurehead attached to a cover portion. The printed figurehead is fabricated from a three-dimensional scanned image of an individual using a three-dimensional ink jet printing process. The printed figurehead can be coated with one or more layers of a clear protective coating to increase the longevity of the printed figurehead. A mounting flange is formed about a mounting edge of the three-dimensional printed figurehead. The mounting flange is attached to the cover portion using a mounting bracket, a mechanical fastener, or other fastening interface. The cover portion can be designed to cover any sporting equipment, including golf clubs, racquets, etc. Alternatively, the printed figurehead can be a complete head and attached using a bobble head styled interface.

Abstract: A weight-adjustable skill toy consists of a string, a first bead, a second bead, at least one first weight, and at least one second weight. The first bead is positioned adjacent to a first end of the string. Likewise, the second bead is positioned adjacent a second end of the string. To change the weight applied at the first bead, the at least one first weight is positioned adjacent the first end and slidably engaged with the first bead. Similarly, to change the weight applied at the second bead, the at least one second weight is positioned adjacent the second end and slidably engaged with the second bead. The first weight, the at least first weight, the second weight, and the at least second weight are utilized to obtain weight configurability.

Abstract: A device and method for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation uses an armband with an outer surface with loop or hook fasteners. An elongated flexible non-stretchable device wraps outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist or wraps inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist. The elongated device has an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an inner surface with hook or loop fasteners. The elongated device can be removably and adjustably attached to the armband, and has a first connecting device affixed to the lower end portion. A gauntlet has a second connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb that is compatible with the first connecting device. The gauntlet may be constructed from material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

Abstract: A baseball training assembly includes a pair of elbow braces. Each of the elbow braces is worn around an associated one of a user's elbows. A belt is provided and the belt is worn around the user's waist. A connection unit is coupled to the belt. The connection unit is centrally positioned on the user's back when the belt is worn. A plurality of elastic bands is provided. Each of the elastic bands is coupled between the connection unit and an associated one of the elbow braces. Thus, each of the elastic bands retains the user's elbows in a selected position corresponding to a preferred geometry with respect to swinging a baseball bat.

Abstract: A method allowing the synchronizing collection of motion and ground reaction forces data at the start of a sporting event which are received from motion and force sensors embedded in insoles worn in the user's footwear. Furthermore, this method allows synchronization of said data with video or television transmission, and if used during, for example, during ski racing, provides information of skis' pitch, roll and heading in a 3-D space, as well as linear and angular velocity, g-forces, and the location and distribution of pressure points and ground reaction forces transferred to the user's feet in a numerical or a graphical form.

Abstract: A training appliance to practice combat sports, contact sports or grappling sports, includes a punching bag having an envelope including a closing wall forming a bottom wall at the lower end thereof, and a second closing wall at the top end. The appliance includes a horizontal base for supporting the bag on the ground, that can be immobilized on the ground and on which the punching bag rests, by the wall thereof. A mechanical connection is established between the base and the wall, authorizing the pivoting movement of the bag around the point of contact between the wall and the sole. The bag also includes at least one unit for returning same to the vertical position.

Abstract: A swing alert system disposed about a baseball setup that includes a pitcher and a batter, with one or more swing alert device that determine a speed and position of a ball along a flightpath of the ball pitched by the pitcher, the flightpath extending from the pitcher to a hitting location target proximate to the batter; determine a time when the ball will reach the hitting location target based at least in part on the determined speed and position of the ball along the flightpath; and generate a swing alert while the ball is traveling along the flightpath and before the ball reaches the hitting location target. The swing alert is generated at a time determined based at least in part on the determined time when the ball will reach the hitting location target and a defined swing time associated with the batter.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade holder having U-shaped inner and outer members that are spaced apart to define a hollow space therebetween. The U-shaped outer member has an elongated blade-supporting base and front and rear pillars that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the blade holder. At least part of the elongated blade-supporting base, front pillar and rear pillar is made of a composite material such as a fiber-matrix composite material. The ice skate also has a blade comprising a runner and a body made of composite material with a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a support apparatus. The support apparatus might comprise a body configured to support an entity. The body might comprise a material that has a physical property. The support apparatus might further comprise a coupler system configured to couple electric current from a power source to the material. The material is arranged such that coupling an electric current to the material changes the physical property of the material. Embodiments are further directed to a method. The method might comprise forming one or more cavities in a support apparatus. The method might further comprise providing one or more couplers in electrical contact with each of the one or more channels. The method further comprises filling each of the one or more cavities with a fluid that has electrically changeable rigidity. Finally, the method might comprise connecting a power source to each of the one or more couplers.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a carrier, a free-wheel unit, a foot-wheel unit, a driving unit, a first angle-detecting unit and a micro processing unit. The carrier is for supporting a user. The free-wheel unit is disposed at one end of the carrier. The foot-wheel unit is disposed at the other end of the carrier. The driving unit is disposed at the free-wheel unit or the foot-wheel unit, and is for providing a power to the electric vehicle. The first angle-detecting unit is disposed at the free-wheel unit or the carrier, and is for detecting a swinging status between the free-wheel unit and the carrier so as to provide a swinging signal. The micro processing unit is signally connected to the driving unit and the first angle-detecting unit. When the swinging signal achieves a predetermined condition determined by the micro processing unit, the driving unit is turned on.

Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a game controller to select symbols from the memory, cause the display to display the selected symbols at the display positions, determine if the displayed symbols include a predetermined symbol, and if the predetermined symbol lands on the pay line, in response to the predetermined symbol landing on the pay line, 1) cause the display to animate the first plurality of anticipation states on the pay line, and 2) randomly determine whether to transition the predetermined symbol to the second plurality of free spin states, in response to determining the predetermined symbol transitioning to the second plurality of free spin states, cause the display to animate the second plurality of free spin states on the pay line.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object for use as a puzzle, has a plurality of faces, each face having a locations and numbers at each location. Some of the numbers are replaceably removable, remaining numbers being fixed, and a predetermined rule links all of said numbers on the different faces to enable correct replacement of the removed numbers to solve said puzzle.

Abstract: A gaming die is provided, that has a generally spherical body and a plurality of substantially planar faces distributed around the die. The spherical body defines lands extending between pairs of the plurality of faces. A plurality of bosses positioned on the spherical body between respective pairs of the plurality of faces.

Abstract: The set consists of smaller elements which complement one another in shape like jigsaw puzzle pieces in such a way that, being interconnected by circular dovetail type connectors situated on the edges, they fill up a larger area of a circular geometric figure. It consists of a central element (1,1a) and many concentric ring-shaped sectors (2 a, 2b, 2h) which, selected according to the radii (r1, r2) and the central angle (co) are interconnected by dovetails (3) on radially oriented edges, forming at least two ring-shaped fields including the central element (1,1a).

Abstract: A non-limiting example portable apparatus comprises a housing, and the housing includes an accommodation member and a lid. A coupling member is provided with a main body and two protruding portions formed on a side surface of the main body, and is rotatably secured to the housing within a plane parallel to a rear surface of the housing (lid). Moreover, a ring-like member is formed of material capable of deforming more easily elastically than the housing and the coupling member, and has a shape that a part of a ring-like frame is cut out. Engaging portions are provided in end portions of the ring-like member, and the engaging portions are engaged with the protruding portions of the coupling member. Therefore, the ring-like member is joined to the coupling member rotatably in a direction that the ring-like member is tilted (opened) to the rear surface of the housing. A user holds or wears the portable apparatus by passing a finger through the ring-like member to use it.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) is provided, including: an emitter configured to emit a scanning beam into an interactive environment, the scanning beam being configured to continuously trace a predefined scan pattern; a detector configured to detect reflections of the scanning beam back to the HMD by each of a plurality of modulating retroreflectors; a processor configured to, for each detected reflection of the scanning beam, analyze the detected reflection to identify the modulating retroreflector that produced the reflection, and further determine a time at which the reflection occurred, wherein the times at which the reflections occurred and the identification of the modulating retroreflectors that produced the reflections are used to determine a location or orientation of the HMD in the interactive environment; a display device configured to render a view of a virtual space that is determined based on the determined location or orientation of the HMD.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that storing a game program configured to provide a user with a puzzle game, the game program causing a computer to execute: displaying the puzzle so that each partial image is movable in a predetermined direction according to a touch operation detected by a predetermined input surface; arranging the partial images according to the touch operation at predetermined positions to recognizably reconstruct a complete image; and retrieving, when the reconstructing is achieved, a game content that is usable in a different game or change information to change information set in a predetermined game content in the different game, as a reward that is given to the user for progress of the different game and is associated with the complete image; wherein the game content retrieved is usable only in another puzzle game different from the puzzle game.

Abstract: A controller includes a body having a handle, and an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed on, in, beneath, or near the outer surface of the handle, responsive to a proximity of a user's fingers to that outer surface. A finger tracker converts the output of the array of proximity sensors to a set of joint angles corresponding to a plurality of the user's fingers. The controller may include a renderer for processing the joint angles to deform a hand mesh that is rendered for display. Values may be calculated to facilitate normalization of the output of the proximity sensor array and thereby generate a set of normalized finger detection data. This data may be processed through curl logic to produce a linear estimate of gross finger curl with respect to the user and thereby generate a set of estimates for a plurality of finger joint angles for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a data center in a second geo location for migrating data in anticipation of receiving a request from a user account from the second geo location includes receiving an indication of a change in geo location of a user from a first geo location to the second geo location. Save data for the user is identified at the first geo location. The save data is analyzed to determine usage trend of the user for the plurality of games. A portion of the save data is identified, based on the usage trend, and transmitted to a second data center in the second geo location in anticipation of the user's likely access of the save data at the second geo location. The save data is made available to game logic of one or more games, when executed on a cloud gaming system, so as to provide current state of game play of the respective one or more games for rendering on a client device of the user used to access the game.

Abstract: The invention discloses how even underdeveloped regions can be provided with telecommnunication terminals (mobile terminals, tablets, laptops) using little computing power of the telecommunication terminals, thus allowing a participation in the exchange of digital information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and delivering an interactive display of thumbnail windows of visual content of different video game sessions are presented. In one embodiment, a method provides for sending, by a server of hosting service, an interactive interface for display on display of a client device. The interactive interface has an array of thumbnail windows and each thumbnail window depicts visual content of different video game sessions being played. Responsive to a selection of a thumbnail window by a user of the client device, the method provides for sending a video stream associated with the selected thumbnail window from the array of thumbnail windows. The video stream enables the user of the client device to view interactive game play of a video game associated with the video stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide confirmation of accuracy of determining medical codes for medical records. The technology may include processor control instructions or steps for establishing a collection of medical documents as a test sample and for determining a convergence of assigned medical codes for the sample that have been assigned by a plurality of coders to establish a standard of one or more accepted medical codes for the sample. The technology may include instructions for applying the sample to a coding system to obtain a determined medical code for the sample; and for comparing the determined code to the accepted medical codes to rate the coding system's accuracy. In some embodiments, the determined medical codes may be obtained by a software coding algorithm that automatically assigns medical codes to medical records. Moreover, the comparing step may be performed by an algorithm that automatically calculates a rate of the coding system.

Abstract: Provided herein is an on-line multiplayer gaming system to score real-world angling events of multiple players. The system includes a first angling event sensing device, processor, and a gaming application on a first mobile device in communication with a recreation monitoring platform. The system further includes a second angling event sensing device, processor, and a second gaming application on a second mobile device in communication with the recreation monitoring platform. The recreation monitoring platform calculates scores for the first and second player based on data from their respective angling event sensing device.

Abstract: As a user guide, the state of overlooking a real space including an imaging device and a user is presented by one of two images: an image in reference to the position of the imaging device, or an image in reference to the user's direction. In both images, a rectangle indicative of the imaging device and a circle representative of the user are presented in a manner reflecting the actual positional relations and directions involved. Also presented are an area denoting a play area in the horizontal direction determined by a camera angle of view for example, and an arrow pointing to the direction in which the user is to move.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a computer, etc., which makes it possible to improve the usability of city building games. The computer is provided with a storage unit configured to store game contents arranged within a game space, positions of the game contents, and a template defining positions of one or more of game contents, and progresses a game by arranging the game contents within the game space based on a command by a player. The method includes when the template is applied to a predetermined area within the game space based on the command by the player, moving, by the computer, the game contents arranged within the game space to the positions of the game contents defined by the template.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a computer, etc., which makes it possible to improve the usability of city building games. The computer is provided with a storage unit configured to store game contents arranged within a game space, positions of the game contents, and a template defining positions of one or more of game contents, and progresses a game by arranging the game contents within the game space based on a command by a player. The method includes when the template is applied to a predetermined area within the game space based on the command by the player, moving, by the computer, the game contents arranged within the game space to the positions of the game contents defined by the template.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a computer, etc., which makes it possible to improve the usability of city building games. The computer is provided with a storage unit configured to store game contents arranged within a game space, positions of the game contents, and a template defining positions of one or more of game contents, and progresses a game by arranging the game contents within the game space based on a command by a player. The method includes when the template is applied to a predetermined area within the game space based on the command by the player, moving, by the computer, the game contents arranged within the game space to the positions of the game contents defined by the template.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a computer, etc., which makes it possible to improve the usability of city building games. The computer is provided with a storage unit configured to store game contents arranged within a game space, positions of the game contents, and a template defining positions of one or more of game contents, and progresses a game by arranging the game contents within the game space based on a command by a player. The method includes when the template is applied to a predetermined area within the name space based on the command by the player, moving, by the computer, the game contents arranged within the game space to the positions of the game contents defined by the template.

Abstract: A computer is caused to execute processing that determines, based on a first usage amount of a hardware resource which is allocated for processing corresponding to objects of a first category including an essential object located in a target scene, a second usage amount of the hardware resource that is able to be allocated for processing for objects of a second category different to the first category. Also, the computer is caused to execute processing of deciding, for objects of the second category which are located in the target scene, types of those objects and an outer appearance parameter for each type based on the second usage amount and information for deciding outer appearances for when the objects of the second category are located in the target scene.

Abstract: PROBLEM To appropriately produce a sound effect caused by an action of an object when the object is made to perform an action such as jogging. SOLUTION An object is made to perform an action in which two or more sets of motion data are blended, each one of two or more sets of sequence data associated with two or more motion data are switched depending on a blend condition, and an effect is produced with reference to the switched sequence data. Also, cumulative number of times of produced effects in a correction period before the switch of the sequence data is counted. No effect is produced in the correction period after the switch if a predetermined number of times of effects has produced before the switch, and a predetermined number of times of effects is produced in the correction period after the switch if a predetermined number of times of effects have not produced before the switch.

Abstract: A program capable of giving an element of surprise to a game to increase the fun and interest, and achieving effects of raising player's interest in. the game and motivation to continue the game, is disclosed herein. The program sets a “personality” such as a preference and a characteristic parameter of a character card (first game content), and sets a “level” of the preference to an item A1 or the like (second game content). Then, the program synthesizes the item. A1 or the like selected by the player with a character card C1, performs a calculation for changing the characteristic parameter of the character card based on the “level,” and exhibits a predetermined effect on the character card C1 based on the calculation result of the characteristic parameter of the character card (e.g., when it is greater than or equal to Smax).

Abstract: A shared virtual experience is provided to players of a location-based game. The virtual location of a player in the game is based on the real world location of the player's client device. If a player's location in the game is within an interaction distance of a virtual element, in indication that a shared virtual experience is available may be provided. Player input is received requesting participation in the shared virtual experience and the player is added to a lobby including a specified start time. At the specified time, the shared virtual experience begins and includes interaction with other players who were in the lobby. An update to game data is sent based on an outcome of the shared virtual experience.